Treatment for Skin Cancer

Treatment for skin cancer can depend upon where the skin cancer is found on the body.  Skin cancer of the face is the most common cancer, and can be treated with a good rate of success when caught early.  If you are concerned with any areas of your face, or other areas of your body, that look suspicious and you are concerned about skin cancer, contact your physician or your dermatologist immediately. Ask A Doctor Online Now. Get an Answer ASAP.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in men and women in the world. Specifically the two common subtypes are called basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Fortunately, skin cancers such as these are very treatable, especially when caught early.

Since facial skin cancers are treatable, early detection is important. Once detected there are several options for treatment. The mainstay of therapy is removal of the cancer.

There are two methods in which this is performed:

1) Wide Local Excision- The cancer is removed taking additional skin around the visible portion of the cancer as a margin to ensure that any microscopic cells are removed. This is a good option where additional skin can be removed without consequence and reconstruction is not a concern. When considering facial skin cancers, such is the case in areas such as the cheek and/or neck.

2) MOHS Surgery- MOHS surgery is a process by which the physician removes the visible skin cancer. While you are still in the office, he/she will look at the borders of the removed cancer under the microscope to determine if more skin needs to be removed in order to completely remove the cancer. Once all of the cancer is removed, repair of the skin defect is considered.

MOHS surgery is beneficial in areas of the face where reconstruction is more difficult. This way the smallest possible amount of skin is removed while safely still removing all of the cancer. Cure rates using the MOHS micrographic surgical technique by a qualified MOHS surgeon are quoted to be as being as high as 99%.

Since the head and neck is such a visible area, repair of the MOHS or cancer defect is an essential consideration when treating skin cancers. This is often performed by a facial plastic surgeon that works closely with a MOHS surgeon. There are many options for MOHS repair that are beyond the scope of this article. Remember, the key to treating skin cancer is early detection. You should perform self skin checks and visit your dermatologist for a full body skin examination.

Author: Dr. Jacob Steiger

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacob_Steiger

Treatments for skin cancer can vary, depending upon what your diagnosis, your age and general health and whether or not the skin cancer has spread.  Discuss all of your options with your dermatologist and/or health care professional to ensure that you truly understand the best treatment for you and your skin cancer diagnosis.

If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer you may be uncertain about the treatment you will be getting as, even if you have already had your treatment options explained to you in detail by your doctor, you might still be confused by all the technical jargon that was thrown at you. It is also possible that you might not have been able to take in the information because of the shock following your diagnosis.

Below therefore is a brief description of just some of the treatments which may be used when treating skin cancer.

The specific type of treatment you will receive is going to depend upon several different things which include such things as your age and whether or not your cancer has spread to other parts of your body.

Your treatment may include surgery during which your surgeon may decide to remove the cancer itself together with some of the surrounding skin tissue. Just how much normal skin will be removed will be dependent upon the particular type of cancer found and how deep that cancer is. Usually an area of roughly one or two centimeters of skin from the surrounding area is removed.

As well as conventional surgery, some skin cancers can be removed by freezing using liquid nitrogen or removed with drugs like Imiquimod.

A more extensive type of surgery might be needed if a sentinel lymph node shows cancer cells after a biopsy of a suspect area. This type of surgery is designed to remove lymph nodes close to the cancer along with affected skin and is usually followed up with a course of radiotherapy.

A recent development in the treatment of skin cancer is what is referred to as immunotherapy cancer vaccination although research into this form of treatment is still under way and it is as yet not widely available. Chemotherapy may also be ordered if your skin cancer has spread into other areas.

There is no definitive form of prevention for skin cancer but there are a variety of things which you can do to reduce your risk of developing the disease and the most important yet frequently ignored is to keep your skin covered if you are out in the sun.

Every one of us, regardless of the type or color of skin you have should use a sunscreen which has a protection factor of at least 15. You should also wear sufficient clothing and remain in the shade as much as you can, particularly between 11am and 3pm when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. By the same token, it is always advisable not to use sun beds and sunlamps as these too give off harmful rays.

Lastly, keep a check on your skin and pay particular attention to any changes in lesions and moles. If you notice any changes then you should visit your physician as quickly as you can so that treatment can be given

Author: Donald Saunders

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Saunders