Skin cancer treatment has advanced in recent years, and now gives you more options than ever
Skin cancer treatment can be a difficult time in a person’s life. Although skin cancer is typically easily treated, it is still cancer, which means that it can be a difficult thing to process both physically and emotionally. Luckily, skin cancer treatment has been keeping up with the times and is now available in many different forms. Dermatologists are now able to offer you treatment options that best suit both you and the skin cancer. We’ll go over the current treatment options, as well as things to discuss with your doctor at your next visit.
Mohs micrographic surgery
This skin cancer treatment is used for skin cancers on the face and neck and offers a very high cure rate. This involves the physician removing the skin cancer in layers. Each layer of tissue that is removed is processed in an on-site lab and looked at by the physician under a microscope while you wait. The physician will look for any remaning skin cancer. If skin cancer cells are found, then the surgeon will go back in and remove another layer of tissue. If no skin cancer is found, then the wound will be repaired and the surgery will be over. This is one of the most advanced treatment options and spares as much tissue as possible while completely removing the skin cancer.
Excision
With an excision, a scalpel is used to surgically remove the entire tumor/cancer with an appropriate safety margin of skin to ensure complete removal of the tumor/cancer. The wound is then closed with sutures (stitches). What is removed is sent to an off side lab for analysis by a separate physician to ensure the margins are clear. The results typically take 7-14 days.
Electrodessication and Currettage:
A surgical instrument called a curette is used to remove abnormal cells by scraping down to a layer of uninvolved tissue and then desiccation (electrosurgery) is performed with a small, metal instrument to widen the margin and cauterize the wound to minimize bleeding. The wound is left to heal without sutures and typically heals over several weeks.
Cryosurgery
Liquid nitrogen is used in this skin cancer treatment technique to destroy the skin cancer tumor. The skin cancer will be crust-over after the liquid nitrogen is applied and will fall off over the course of the next few weeks. This treatment can be repeated as many times as necessary, and is done with or without anesthesia. This method has a cure rate that is lower than surgical skin cancer removal options, such as Mohs micrographic surgery.
Radiation
This skin cancer treatment involves the use of x-ray beams that are shot at the skin cancer tumor. The patient will need to come in multiple times to remove the skin cancer, which can take everywhere from one week to one month. Not all skin cancer is treated with radiation and there are risks and benefits of radiation treatment. Usually radiation treatment is used for patients who cannot tolerate surgical procedures.
Topical Chemotherapy Medication
There are two FDA-approved topical chemotherapy creams, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and Imiquimod, for the treatment of actinic kerasoses (precancers) and superficial basal carcinomas. They have also been shown to be successful in the treatment of Bowen’s disease, an early form of squamous cell carcinoma. 5-FU works by having a direct toxic effect on cancerous cells. Imiquimod is an immunomodulator cream that stimulates the immune system to produce interferon, a chemical that attacks precancerous and cancerous cells
Metrolina Dermatology – your skin cancer treatment specialist
Skin cancer treatment at Metrolina dermatology is patient-centered and individually designed for your needs. Dr. Sasha Haberle of Metrolina dermatology helps the people of Charlotte, NC with all of their skincare needs, including skin cancer screenings and treatments. A board certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, Dr. Haberle can help you if you think that you may have a cancerous lesion. If you live near the Charlotte, NC area and wish to see a dermatologist, call our office to book an appointment today.
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