Comprehensive Dermatology Services for Every Stage of Life
From a concerning spot to a lifetime of healthy skin, our board-certified team handles it all.
Established 1973 • 3 locations • 5 MDs + 6 NPs + 2 PAs • BBB A+ • Board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology.
Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. The good news is that when caught early, most skin cancers are highly treatable. At Chattanooga Skin and Cancer Clinic, our board-certified dermatologists have spent more than 50 years helping Tennessee Valley patients detect, diagnose, and treat every type of skin cancer. If you have noticed a new spot, a changing mole, or a lesion that will not heal, do not wait.
ACT NOW
Why Early
Detection Matters
The five-year survival rate for most skin cancers is above 99 percent when caught and treated early. The same cancers, left untreated, can become life-threatening. A yearly full-body skin exam takes about 15 minutes and is one of the most effective things you can do for your long-term health.
Types of Skin Cancer We Treat
Basal Cell Carcinoma
The most common form of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinomas typically appear as pearly bumps, pink patches, or sores that do not heal. They grow slowly and rarely spread, but they can cause significant local damage if left untreated.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The second most common form of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinomas often appear as scaly red patches, open sores, or wart-like growths. They are more likely than basal cell carcinomas to grow deeper and spread, which makes prompt treatment important.
Melanoma
The most serious form of skin cancer, but highly treatable when caught early. Melanoma often appears as a new or changing mole. Because of how serious it can be, we have a dedicated page covering melanoma in detail.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANOMA
Other Skin Cancers
We also evaluate and treat less common skin cancers including Merkel cell carcinoma and various pre-cancerous lesions like actinic keratoses.
What to Expect
at Your Appointment
Full-body skin exam
Your dermatologist will check your skin from head to toe, including hard-to-see areas. The exam itself is painless and takes about 15 minutes.
Biopsy if needed
If a spot looks suspicious, a small biopsy can usually be performed during the same visit. Results typically come back within a week.
Personalized treatment plan
If skin cancer is confirmed, your provider will walk you through your options and help you choose the right next step. Most early-stage skin cancers are removed in our office.
EXPERT CARE
Skin Cancer Treatment Options
The right treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the cancer. Common approaches include surgical excision, electrodesiccation and curettage, cryotherapy, topical treatments, and Mohs micrographic surgery for high-risk locations like the face and hands.
Mohs micrographic surgery offers the highest cure rate available for most skin cancers, above 99 percent for primary basal and squamous cell carcinomas. We perform Mohs at our Chattanooga and Cleveland offices.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MOHS SURGERY
Frequently asked Questions
Watch for changes in size, shape, color, or texture. Spots that bleed, itch, or do not heal also deserve attention. The safest approach is to have anything you are unsure about evaluated by a dermatologist.
If you have a concerning spot, call us. We hold same-week appointment slots specifically for skin cancer concerns at all three of our locations.
Yes. Most skin cancer treatments, including biopsies, excisions, and Mohs surgery (at our Chattanooga and Cleveland offices), are performed in our office under local anesthesia. You go home the same day.
Most insurance plans cover medically necessary skin exams. Costs vary by plan. Call your nearest office and we can help estimate your out-of-pocket cost based on your insurance.
Worried About a Spot?
Tell Us About It.
We will get back to you as soon as possible. Most spots are nothing serious, but it is always worth checking.