SKIN CANCER
SKIN CANCER
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, probably making up more than half of all diagnosed cases of cancer. There are primarily 3 kinds of skin cancer:
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: It is 1 of the 3 skin cancer forms that may be observed within locations on the body which are subjected to sunlight. This may include the ears, face as well as oral cavity. One indicator associated with this kind of skin cancer is a lump which tends to change into an open wound. This open sore is actually a kind of ulceration which is red with a flat spot which is occasionally crusty and grows larger without healing. If this is left unattended, that bump/sore could spread quickly to various other areas of the body such as nerve paths, blood-stream and lymphatic systems.
- Basal Cell Skin Cancer: It is the 2nd type of skin cancer and accounts for 75% of all skin cancer cases each year and is the most prevalent kind of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma generally develops upon the face, neck as well as hands. It's a very curable kind of skin cancer which hardly ever advances to other areas of the body.
- Melanoma:It is the 3rd type of the skin cancer. It is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanoma may manifest on any part of the body that has been exposed to damaging UV rays.
Treatments and Procedures
There are many ways for skin cancer treatment with a good chance of success of 90% or more. The main goal is to remove or destroy the cancer completely with as small a scar as possible.
- Curettage and Desiccation: Dermatologists often prefer this method, which consists of scooping out the basal cell carcinoma by using a spoon like instrument called a curette. Desiccation is the additional application of an electric current to control bleeding and kill the remaining cancer cells. The skin heals without stitching.
- Surgical Excision: The tumor is cut out and stitched up.
- Radiation Therapy: Doctors often use radiation treatments for skin cancer occurring in areas that are difficult to treat with surgery. Obtaining a good cosmetic result generally involves many treatment sessions, perhaps 25 to 30.
- Cryosurgery: Some doctors trained in this technique achieve good results by freezing basal cell carcinomas. Typically, liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth to freeze and kill the abnormal cells.
- Mohs Micrographic Surgery: This technique of removing skin cancer is better termed "microscopically controlled excision." The surgeon meticulously removes a small piece of the tumor and examines it under the microscope during surgery. This sequence of cutting and microscopic examination is repeated in a painstaking fashion so that the basal cell carcinoma can be mapped and taken out without having to estimate or guess the width and depth of the lesion. This method removes as little of the healthy normal tissue as possible. Cure rate is very high, exceeding 98%. Mohs micrographic surgery is preferred for large basal cell carcinomas.
- Medical Therapy: This method uses medicated creams that attack cancer cells stimulate the immune system. These are applied several times a week for several weeks. They produce brisk inflammation and irritation.
Almost every skin cancer is treated by surgery. The tumor, which is situated on the skin, is removed under local or general anesthesia depending on its location. Cancerous tissues are removed with a safety margin, in order to be sure that all cancerous cells will be eliminated.