Skin Cancer Treatment

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. Every year, more than one million of Americans are affected by it. In addition, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. Skin cancers are generally curable if caught early. However, people who have had skin cancer are at a higher risk of developing a new skin cancer. Self-examination and doctor visits are imperative for this reason. The vast majority of skin cancers are composed of three different types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. Basal cells reside in the deepest layer of the epidermis, along with hair follicles and sweat ducts. When a person is overexposed to UVB radiation, it damages the body’s natural repair system. As a result, basal cell carcinomas start to grow. These tend to be slow-growing tumors and rarely metastasize (spread). Basal cell carcinomas can present in a number of different ways:

• Raised pink or pearly white bump with a pearly edge and small, visible blood vessels
• Pigmented bumps that look like moles with a pearly edge
• A sore that continuously heals and re-opens
• Flat, scaly scar with a waxy appearance and blurred edges

Despite the different appearances of basal cell carcinomas, they all tend to bleed with little or no cause. Eighty-five percent of basal cell carcinomas occur on the face and neck. These areas are most exposed to the sun.

Risk factors for basal cell carcinoma include having fair skin, sun exposure, age (most skin cancers occur after age 50), exposure to ultraviolet radiation (as in tanning beds) and therapeutic radiation given to treat an unrelated health issue.

To diagnose basal cell carcinoma, a biopsy is required. This could be either excisional or incisional. An excisional biopsy removes the entire tumor, along with some of the surrounding tissue. In contrast, an incisional biopsy removes only part of the tumor, which is used primarily for large lesions.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment

Treatments for basal cell carcinoma include:

• Cryosurgery — Some basal cell carcinomas respond to cryosurgery, where liquid nitrogen is used to freeze off the tumor.
• Curettage and Desiccation — This treatment involves using a small metal instrument (called a curette) to scrape out the tumor. An application of an electric current into the tissue is used to kill off any remaining cancer cells. This is the preferred method of dermatologists.
• Mohs Micrographic Surgery — Mohs Micrographic Surgery combines removal of cancerous tissue with microscopic review while the surgery takes place. By mapping the diseased tissue layer by layer, our dermatologists can ensure that less healthy skin is damaged when removing the tumor. This is the preferred method for large tumors.
• Prescription Medicated Creams — These creams can be applied at home. They stimulate the body’s natural immune system over the course of weeks.
• Radiation Therapy — Radiation therapy is used for tumors that are more difficult to treat due to location, severity or persistence.
• Surgical Excision — In this treatment the tumor is surgically removed and stitched up.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cells are found in the upper layer (the surface) of the epidermis. They look like fish scales under a microscope and present as a crusted or scaly patch of skin with an inflamed, red base. They are often tender to the touch. It is estimated that 250,000 new cases of squamous cell carcinoma are diagnosed annually. Unfortunately, about 2,500 of these new cases result in death.

Squamous cell carcinoma can develop anywhere, including inside the mouth and on the genitalia. It most frequently appears on the scalp, face, ears and back of hands. Squamous cell carcinoma tends to develop among fair-skinned, middle-aged and elderly people who have a history of sun exposure. In some cases, it evolves from actinic keratoses, dry scaly lesions which appear on skin that is rough or leathery. Actinic keratoses spots can be flesh-colored, reddish-brown or yellow black, and are considered to be precancerous.

Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma is diagnosed via a biopsy. The biopsy can either be excisional, where the entire tumor is removed along with some of the surrounding tissue, or incisional, where only a part of the tumor is removed (used primarily for large lesions).

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment

Treatments for squamous cell carcinoma include:

• Cryosurgery — Some basal cell carcinomas respond to cryosurgery, where liquid nitrogen is used to freeze off the tumor.
• Curettage and Desiccation — The preferred method of dermatologists. This treatment involves using a small metal instrument (called a curette) to scrape out the tumor, along with an application of an electric current into the tissue to kill off any remaining cancer cells.
• Mohs Micrographic Surgery — The preferred method for large tumors, Mohs Micrographic Surgery combines removal of cancerous tissue with microscopic review while the surgery takes place. By mapping the diseased tissue layer by layer, our dermatologists can ensure that less healthy skin is damaged when removing the tumor.
• Prescription Medicated Creams — These creams can be applied at home. They stimulate the body’s natural immune system over the course of weeks.
• Radiation Therapy — Radiation therapy is used for difficult-to-treat tumors, either because of their location, severity or persistence.
• Surgical Excision — In this treatment the tumor is surgically removed and stitched up.

Melanoma

While melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, it is by far the most virulent. It is also the most common form of cancer among young adults age 25 to 29. Melanocytes are cells found in the bottom layer of the epidermis. These cells produce melanin, the substance responsible for skin pigmentation. That’s why melanomas often present as dark brown or black spots on the skin. Melanomas spread rapidly to internal organs and the lymph system, making them quite dangerous. Early detection is critical for curing this skin cancer.

Melanomas look like moles and often grow inside existing moles. That’s why it is important for people to conduct regular self-examinations of their skin. By doing this, potential skin cancer can be detected early when it is treatable. Most melanomas are caused by overexposure to the sun beginning in childhood. This cancer also runs in families.

Melanoma is diagnosed via a biopsy. Treatments include surgical removal, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention