SKIN CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS
Surgeries performed by a surgical dermatologist can be some of the most effective and immediate treatment options.
Excisions – An uncomplicated method where the area that is cancerous is cut out with a surgical blade. After removal, the skin is stitched up ensuring your wound closes properly. This technique does usually leaves visible scarring.
Mohs – Mohs surgery is an excellent option when there’s a higher likelihood the cancer will return after the treatment. The surgery is performed using a microscope to analyze each layer of skin that is removed to check for cancerous cells. The benefit to a Mohs treatment is it typically has less scarring and is considered incredibly thorough.
Non-Surgical Alternatives
There are a large number of reasons people prefer non-surgical choices when it comes to treatments. Luckily, non-surgical alternatives are becoming more and more successful. These include:
Cryotherapy
Effective on pre-cancerous skin or small carcinomas. This method includes using liquid nitrogen which is used to freeze and get rid of pre-cancerous or cancerous cells. Following the treatment, the skin will blister, swell up and then form a crust over the treated area. It may take a few weeks or more to heal and can possibly leave a scar that has hypopigmentation.
Topical Chemotherapy
This treatment uses certain medications topically that work to kill the cancerous cells over a period of time. The medication is applied to the impacted skin once or twice a day over a period of several weeks to eradicate the cancerous tumor. This treatment is most effective on pre-cancerous conditions.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-frequency rays that will kill cancer cells. The treatment is the most successful when it is combined with other options such as at-home medications that are doctor recommended. It can also be used after the surgical removal of a cancerous area ensuring that all of the area is clear.
