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Trust Your Care to a Surgeon Trained to Catch Melanoma Early

Early detection is what separates a routine melanoma diagnosis from a life-threatening one, and that starts with a physician who knows what to look for. Dr. Greco spent 15 years at UCLA focused on cutaneous oncology and skin cancer surgery, and he brings that same level of scrutiny to every skin exam at the Venice office, whether a patient comes in for a single suspicious mole or a full-body screening.

What Is Melanoma?

Melanoma begins in melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment responsible for skin color. A few things follow from that:

  • Unlike basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma can spread to lymph nodes and other organs if it isn't caught early
  • The American Cancer Society reports a five-year survival rate of 99% when melanoma is found before it spreads, compared to far lower survival rates once it reaches distant organs
  • Melanoma most often develops in an existing mole or as a new dark spot
  • According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 70 to 80% of melanomas actually arise on skin that looked normal beforehand

That last point is part of why routine skin checks matter as much as watching existing moles.

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Warning Signs of Melanoma

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the ABCDE rule for evaluating moles and pigmented spots:

  • Asymmetry: One half of the spot looks different from the other half.
  • Border: The edges are irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.
  • Color: The spot has varying shades of tan, brown, or black, or areas of white, red, or blue.
  • Diameter: Melanomas are usually larger than 6 millimeters, about the size of a pencil eraser, when diagnosed, though they can be smaller.
  • Evolving: The spot looks different from the others around it, or is changing in size, shape, or color.

Any mole or spot matching several of these signs is reason enough to schedule a skin exam, rather than waiting to see if it changes further.

Am I at Risk for Melanoma?

Melanoma risk increases with the combined effects of sun exposure history and genetics. Common risk factors include:

  • A history of five or more sunburns, which the Skin Cancer Foundation reports doubles melanoma risk
  • Indoor tanning before age 35, which increases melanoma risk by roughly 75%
  • Fair skin, light eyes, or blonde or red hair
  • A family history of melanoma
  • A large number of moles, or moles that look atypical
  • A prior melanoma or other skin cancer diagnosis
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Why Choose Dr. Greco for Melanoma Care in Venice, FL?

Dr. Joseph F. Greco III is double board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology and fellowship trained in Mohs micrographic surgery, reconstructive surgery, and cutaneous oncology at The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. During his 15 years at UCLA, he served as Director of UCLA Santa Monica Dermatology and performed thousands of skin cancer surgeries, including excisions of melanomas.

Because Dr. Greco handles both the diagnostic exam and the surgical treatment, Venice patients get a consistent point of contact from the first suspicious mole through recovery, rather than being passed between a screening dermatologist and a separate surgeon.

Diagnosing and Treating Melanoma

Skin Exam and Biopsy

Diagnosis starts with a full skin exam and a biopsy of any suspicious lesion. The biopsy sample is examined under a microscope to confirm melanoma and determine how deep it has grown, which is the key factor in staging.

Staging

Melanoma is staged from 0 to IV based on how deep it has grown and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs. According to the American Cancer Society, treatment becomes more involved at each stage:

  • Early-stage melanoma is typically treated with surgery alone
  • Later stages may require a sentinel lymph node biopsy to check nearby lymph nodes
  • More advanced cases may need broader lymph node evaluation
  • Some stages call for systemic therapy in addition to surgery

Surgical Excision

For confirmed melanoma, Dr. Greco performs a wide surgical excision, removing the tumor along with a margin of surrounding healthy tissue based on the tumor's depth. For thicker or higher-risk tumors, a sentinel lymph node biopsy may be recommended to check whether melanoma cells have reached the nearest lymph nodes.

Recovery and Ongoing Surveillance

Recovery time depends on the size and location of the excision, but most patients resume normal activities within days to a couple of weeks. Because a melanoma diagnosis significantly raises the risk of developing another skin cancer, Dr. Greco schedules more frequent follow-up skin exams for melanoma patients going forward.

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When Melanoma Requires a Specialist Team: Schedule a Melanoma Skin Exam in Venice, FL

Most melanoma cases caught early are treated successfully with surgery at the Venice office. For more advanced cases, such as melanoma that has spread to lymph nodes or beyond, Dr. Greco connects patients with his network of skin cancer specialists, including surgical oncology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology, so treatment stays coordinated rather than leaving patients to find specialists on their own.

If you've noticed a new or changing mole, or simply want a thorough skin check, call Greco Dermatology's Venice office at (941) 667-5544 to schedule with Dr. Joseph Greco. The office is located at 119 Shamrock Blvd, Venice, FL 34293.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.

FAQs

Is melanoma curable?

How often should I get a skin exam if I've had melanoma before?

What's the difference between melanoma and other skin cancers?

Does insurance cover melanoma treatment?

Is melanoma curable?

Yes, especially when caught early. The American Cancer Society reports a 99% five-year survival rate for melanoma detected before it spreads, though survival rates drop significantly once it reaches lymph nodes or distant organs.

How often should I get a skin exam if I've had melanoma before?

Patients with a melanoma history typically need more frequent skin exams than the general population, since a prior melanoma diagnosis raises the risk of developing another skin cancer. Dr. Greco sets a follow-up schedule based on your specific case.

What's the difference between melanoma and other skin cancers?

Melanoma develops in pigment-producing cells and can spread to lymph nodes and organs, while basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma develop in different skin cells and rarely spread. Melanoma is less common than basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, but it is more likely to be life-threatening if it isn't caught early.

Does insurance cover melanoma treatment?

Most health insurance plans cover melanoma diagnosis and treatment as medically necessary care. The Venice office can help verify your specific coverage before your visit.

Sources

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Now Accepting New Dermatology Patients in Venice

Now Accepting New Dermatology Patients in Venice

Greco Dermatology’s Venice location is now accepting new dermatology patients. Schedule your visit online or by phone to get started.

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