Skin Cancer Treatment

The most prevalent form of cancer in the western world is skin cancer. Estimates show that between 40 to 50 percent of people who reach the age sixty five will contract skin cancer according to statistics at least once. High up on the list of likely sufferers are fair skinned, blue eyed, blonde haired people. However skin cancer can affect anyone.

Strangely enough, the two most common forms of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, sometimes called non-melanoma skin cancer, are the least likely to spread and cause death. The form of skin cancer that affects the basal cell is responsible for more than 90% of all cancers of the skin in the US.

Another and much more powerful form of skin cancer is melanoma which is responsible for the majority of fatalities.

Early diagnosis of skin cancer is of vital importance to the successful treatment of skin cancer. The survival rates of early treatment are remarkably high, and relatively easy on the sufferer. However if the cancer, especially melanoma, is not diagnosed sufficiently early, it will spread very rapidly. In a best possible scenario, this will entail a long and painful course of treatment involving invasive skin cancer surgery and a long course of chemotherapy to hopefully destroy any cancerous cells that have spread through the blood stream.

Because the cancer is on the skin of the patient there are many innovative forms of treatment that, in some cases, entail treatment under local anesthetic and at worse hospitalization for a day or two at the most. Some examples are as follows:

A unique strategy known as cryosurgery for treating skin cancer involves freezing cancerous cells in the layers of skin. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the skin surface to essentially freeze the offending cells. Cryosurgery is used to treat basal and squamous cell carcinomas only.
Radiation therapy is a form treatment using high-energy rays to destroy skin cancerous cells. The radiation is delivered in the form of an external beam or from inserting radioactive materials directly into the tumor.
Curettage is a form of light surgery to remove tissue or growths by scraping using a curette
A two-step procedure known as photodynamic therapy where the patients are injected with a light-activated drug, which targets cancerous cells. Ideally suited to be carried out done on an outpatient basis, the patient will then be sent home with orders to return between 24-48 hours later. Then a laser light is directed through a scope onto the cancerous cells, exposing the affected tissue to a strong light. The beam of light activates the drug, which destroys the cells affected by cancer without leaving the surrounding healthy tissue intact.
Medication is applied directly to the skin rather than orally or by injection vein. Known as topical chemotherapy, this is the last stage before invasive surgery.
If all else fails then the cancer will be treated most effectively by simply removing the tumor surgically if it has invaded the body. The surgery will inevitably be supplemented by a long and debilitating course of chemotherapy to ensure that all the cancerous cells will be removed forms the patient's body.

Skin cancer can be cured and the methods involved are an indication that many steps will be taken in attempt to avoid any form of invasive surgery. It is very much up to each and every one of us to constantly check each and every area of our skin for any signs of unusual growths. Even if you think you may be overreacting, you doctor will be pleased to see you, and appreciate your responsible behavior.

Cancer