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Skin Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and is increasing
in frequency every year. Because skin cancer can be cured relatively
easily if diagnosed early enough, increased awareness to the dangers
of the disease and the fact that it can be cured relatively early, has
made people very alert to the first signs of any symptoms appearing
and to contact their family doctor or local medical center without delay.
Any changes in the appearance of the skin, especially a sore that appears not to heal or a new growth should be regarded as sign of skin cancer. It is forbidden to generalize as not all skin cancers appear the same. A certain form of skin cancer may first appear as a small, waxy like lump. Or as a firm, red colored lump. The lump may begins to develop a crust or to leak blood. A flat, red colored spot rough, dry, or scaly in appearance can also be evidence of skin cancer. These lumps many appear anywhere in the body, but usually
in the parts of the body that have been most exposed to the sun's rays,
particularly the head, neck, face, arms and hands. This is especially
true in the cases of both basal and squamous cancer carcinomas. One important fact that should be taken into account,
skin cancers very rarely are painful, and should be taken seriously
despite that. If the treating doctor has any fear that the growth
may be cancerous, they will order an immediate skin biopsy to be carried
out.
This is where some tissue
is removed from the suspicious growth and sent for examination. The
examination will attempt to ascertain if the growth is cancerous or
not. If the skin cancer has been caught really early, the biopsy also
cures the skin cancer as well as any areas of skin around it to make
sure that the cancer has not begun to spread. Another innovative treatment, known as Mohs micrographic surgery, which especially lends itself to the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma is. This is when a surgeon, after applying a local anesthetic will shave away thin layers of the cancerous growth. Immediately after removal, the layer is sent to a laboratory for examination. This procedure will continue till a layer has been diagnosed to be clean of cancer. Skin cancer can be treated fairly easily and relative
painlessly if diagnosed soon enough. The percentage rates of recovery
are encouragingly high, despite the fact that skin cancer is now the
most predominant form of cancer in the Western World.
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