Blog Archive

Each year in the United States, surgeons perform nearly 30,000 organ transplants. While such a procedure may preserve your health or save your life, it comes with various risks — including an increased likelihood of skin cancer. Dermatologic surgeon and skin cancer specialist, Ali Hendi, MD, serving the Washington, DC,...

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and more people develop basal cell carcinoma (BCC) than any other form. In fact, it accounts for about 80% of all skin cancers.  While any cancer diagnosis can be daunting, it’s important to know that basal cell skin cancer is quite...

Over 13 million surgeries are performed in the United States most years, often aimed at improved health and minimized symptoms. Just because surgeries are common and helpful, however, doesn’t mean you’ll feel 100% breezy about your own. It’s natural to experience some concern or anxiety leading up to a surgical...

If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, getting the most effective available treatment is probably at the top of your priority list. Ask most any expert what that treatment entails and they’re likely to recommend Mohs surgery.  Developed by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs in the 1930s, Mohs surgery has become...

If you’ve noticed a rough, scaly bump or patch on your skin, you might be dealing with actinic keratosis. This condition that affects some 58 million Americans isn’t life-threatening, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Considered precancerous, actinic keratosis leads to skin cancer in some cases. Addressing the...

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that starts in the melanocytes, which are the cells that control your skin’s pigment. And while it’s less common than other skin cancers, it’s also the most dangerous. A recent study that compared different races showed that Black men had a higher chance...

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and melanoma is the most dangerous form. Thankfully, getting a melanoma diagnosis doesn’t have to lead to a worst-case scenario.  With early detection, melanoma that hasn’t spread to other parts of the body has a 99% five-year survival rate. So, how can you make...

If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, you need effective treatment. And there’s usually nothing more effective than Mohs surgery. This specialized procedure gradually removes cancerous cells, layer by layer, until all of the cancer is gone. This method removes the cancer and leaves as much healthy tissue as possible....

The sun’s rays can uplift you after cloudy or stormy days. They also help your body create vitamin D, which promotes bone strength. However, not everything about ultraviolet (UV) rays is positive. Excess UV exposure is linked with a range of health concerns, including skin cancer. The good news is you’re...

If you’ve noticed a rubbery lump beneath your skin, you may be dealing with a lipoma. If so, should you be concerned?  While this condition isn’t dangerous, you still may benefit from treatment, depending on your symptoms. Ali Hendi, MD, and his dedicated team of professionals in Chevy Chase, Maryland, are...

Feeling anxious about an upcoming surgery isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s also not uncommon. In fact, about 75% of people facing a surgical procedure experience some amount of anxiety. And all of those feelings are well worth addressing. If you’re experiencing surgery-related anxiety, Ali Hendi, MD, and his...

If you have a suspicious mole or area of skin, a skin cancer biopsy may be in your future. Thankfully, the procedure is quick and minimally invasive. It may also make all the difference in your skin health and overall well-being. Ali Hendi, MD, and his dedicated team of professionals...

Melanoma is less common than other types of skin cancer, but it’s also more likely to spread and become serious. In other words, you don’t want to put off detection and treatment if you have melanoma.  Thankfully, when melanoma is addressed early on, it can often be effectively treated through surgery alone. Early treatment also...

Most everyone develops moles on their skin, and most are harmless. Ignoring your moles isn’t a good idea, however, considering that changes and certain traits could indicate the presence of cancer. And compared to other cancers, skin cancer is the most common form in the United States, affecting one in...

If you feel anxious about an upcoming surgery, you’re far from alone. Research shows that some 60-92% of patients experience pre-surgery anxiety. And for more than half of patients, that anxiousness is significant. These are just some of the reasons that Ali Hendi, MD, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, is happy...

Skin cancer is a very common and potentially serious disease. However, if you account for your risk factors and take early warning signs seriously, you can increase your chances of having a successful outcome. Detected and addressed early, patients with even the most serious form of skin cancer — melanoma...

Your skin is your largest organ, and it’s the one most likely to develop cancer at some point. While that can seem daunting, it’s important to know that most skin cancers are highly treatable, especially if they’re addressed early on. At the practice of Ali Hendi, MD, in Chevy Chase,...

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, affecting about one in five people in the United States at some point. While any cancer diagnosis can feel scary, it’s important to know that most skin cancers are highly treatable when they’re detected early. And of all the available treatments, little compares to Mohs surgery. ...

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, affecting about one in five adults in the United States at some point. While being diagnosed with this disease can feel scary, it’s often very treatable. At the practice of Ali Hendi, MD, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Dr. Hendi and our...

Feeling anxious about an upcoming surgery is nothing to be ashamed about. Not only is it natural to experience some level of anxiety about a medical procedure, it’s also very common. In fact, one report showed that 60-90% of people experience significant anxiety before an operation. Thankfully, you don’t have...

Your skin is your largest and, in many ways, most delicate organ. By taking good care of it, you’re helping your overall health.  Healthy skin care habits can help prevent skin cancer, for example, which is the most common type of cancer in the United States.  At the practice of Ali Hendi, MD,...

The skin is the body’s largest organ. It’s also the most delicate in some ways, given that it’s exposed to the outside world. And everything from mild allergic reactions to cancer can affect it. While skin cancer is rare in kids, it can occur. Understanding the risk factors and what to look...

About 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day in the United States, making it the most common form of cancer. And while there’s no sure way to completely avoid it, you can take steps to greatly lower your risk.  At the practice of Ali Hendi, MD, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Dr. Hendi and...

If you’re headed toward Mohs surgery for your skin cancer treatment, you can feel very confident in the outcome. While no one wants to get skin cancer, this procedure is very successful and results in as little damage to the surrounding healthy tissue as possible. At the practice of Ali...

More people develop skin cancer than any other type. Skin cancer is so common, in fact, that one in five people in the United States will develop it by age 70. And, sadly, more than two people die of the disease every hour.  While those statistics can seem daunting, there’s hope to be had....

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, affecting an estimated one in five adults at some point. And more people develop basal cell carcinoma than any other type. This slow-growing form of skin cancer has a very high cure rate if it doesn’t spread,...

Basal cell nevus syndrome is an umbrella term for a group of irregularities caused by a genetic condition. This rare genetic disorder can affect many parts of your body and raise your risk for developing types of cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, the most common kind of skin cancer. At...

Cysts are noncancerous and usually harmless, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Cysts can cause pain and get infected. Furthermore, cysts can cause embarrassment, especially if they’re located in a visible spot, such as your face or neck. In all of these cases, cyst removal can...

Melanoma isn’t a common form of skin cancer, but it is the most serious. More than 100,000 cases affect adults in the United States each year, according to the American Cancer Society, and that number has been increasing. And while it can develop at any age, the average age of...

Spotting changes in your skin can be disconcerting, but how do you know if the changes are precancerous? Medically known as actinic keratosis, precancerous skin growths affect about 35% of people in the United States. And recognizing these growths is important when it comes to preventing skin cancer. Without treatment,...

What if all that was needed to ensure that your skin stayed as cancer-free as possible was to allow a professional to take a good look now and then? That’s exactly how skin cancer surveillance exams can benefit you and your well-being. During the roughly 15-minute exam, you’ll swap out...

You have a surgery coming up and can't seem to move it from the forefront of your mind. You’re stressed, anxious, or deeply concerned. Even with the safest and most routine of surgeries performed by qualified professionals, these types of emotions are common and nothing to be ashamed of. At...

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, and more people develop basal cell carcinoma than any other type. While any cancer diagnosis can feel scary, basal cell carcinoma is very treatable and typically comes with a good prognosis if it’s detected early. Understanding the signs to look for...

Lipomas and cysts aren’t typically dangerous, but they can cause pain and make those who have them feel self-conscious. These lumps, which usually occur on the face, armpits, neck, back, or chest, are similar in many ways, but cysts are fluid-filled, and lipomas consist of fatty tissue. At the practice...

Summer often means vacations, beach visits, and time in the pool. However, it can also mean a heightened risk for skin damage. Sun exposure is associated with many forms of skin cancer as well as cosmetic issues, such as increased wrinkles, fine lines, and sun spots. Thankfully, there are ways...

Hearing you have any form of cancer can feel scary. And hearing you have a rare form might add to those emotions. However, it’s important to know that rare forms of skin cancer — including extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) — are often treatable. No one quite...

Your skin is your largest organ and one of the most likely places for cancer to form. One in five people in the United States will develop a form of skin cancer by age 70. Not all skin cancers are the same, however. The three main types are basal cell...

Seborrheic keratosis may sound intense, but these skin growths are harmless. They’re also very common, affecting most people at least once in their lifetime. Recognizing whether you’re dealing with a seborrheic keratosis or something more serious is important, especially since certain forms of precancerous growths and even skin cancer can...

Most cysts aren’t cancerous, and they don’t usually cause other health problems. Even so, that doesn’t mean cysts are fun. These nodules, which can develop in the skin or inside the body, contain a liquid, semisolid, or gaseous material. When it comes to the skin, these growths are especially common...

In the 1960s, researchers discovered that people in Mediterranean countries, such as Italy and Greece, had lower rates of heart disease compared to the United States and Europe. Out of this research was born the Mediterranean diet. By eating in ways similar to these heart-healthier populations, you may be able...

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, affecting more than 3 million people in the United States each year. If the disease is found early, conservative treatments tend to be highly effective. At the practice of Ali Hendi, MD, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Dr. Hendi and his team...

Eating a plant-based diet can give your body the nutrients it needs and also help reduce your risk of developing many chronic diseases. So it naturally follows that if you’re having surgery, eating a plant-based diet can help you recover better. At Ali Hendi, MD, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, our...

A widely recognized skin cancer specialist, Dr. Hendi has been caring for patients in the Washington, D.C. area for over a decade. A board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs and reconstructive surgeon, he opened a state-of-the-art surgical facility, dedicated to the treatment of skin cancers, in Chevy Chase, Maryland in 2008.  Since...

Skin cancer is an umbrella term for several different types of cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma. Skin cancer is on the rise — a 77% increase was reported from 1994 to 2014. In Maryland alone, 23% of all cancer diagnoses are melanoma. Thankfully, skin...

Almost everyone has a few moles on their body. Clinically known as “nevi” (plural) or “nevus” (singular), moles are usually harmless. You might be born with moles, or they could emerge during childhood or adolescence.  New or changing moles can be a sign of skin cancer, including melanoma — the...

Skin cancer is often thought of as something people with fair skin are at risk for. The truth is, people with dark skin can get skin cancer, and when they do they’re more likely to die from the disease.  Widely recognized skin cancer specialist Ali Hendi, MD, and his highly-skilled...

We’ve made it to summer! And we’re all a little bit relieved for it. But with everything happening, don’t forget that the risk of skin cancer is still present when you spend time in the sun.  In fact, one in five people, or 20% of the entire U.S. population, can...