What Are Some of the Most Common Skin Cancer Treatments?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Around 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each and every day. However, while skin cancer is serious, it is also very treatable. Early detection and prompt intervention with skin cancer treatment can often prove to be lifesaving.

If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer or are concerned about the results of a dermatology exam, you may be wondering what the most common skin cancer treatments are. The answer is that it depends on several factors.

Exploring Common Skin Cancer Treatment Options

If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, one of the first things your doctor will do is verify the specific type of skin cancer you have. The recommended skin cancer treatment will depend on your specific diagnosis.

Surgical Skin Cancer Treatments

No matter what type of skin cancer you have, excision surgery might be required. Excision simply means cutting out the cancerous tissue. Traditional excision includes removing a minor amount of healthy tissue near the cancer cells to prevent the spread of cancer. An alternative approach is Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery only removes cancerous tissue, generally avoiding any healthy tissues in the surrounding area.

Small and early-stage skin cancers may also be treatable with cryosurgery. Cryosurgery means using liquid nitrogen to freeze cancerous tissue. Once frozen, the cancerous tissue effectively sheds off the skin.

Cancers that have metastasized or spread to other parts of the body may need radiation treatment, in addition to surgery.

What Are Some Other Options for Skin Cancer Treatment?

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Some common treatment options for BCC include:

• Curettage and electrodesiccation, during which a dermatologist scrapes the carcinoma out of your skin, and then uses heat to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
• Photodynamic therapy is a solution that makes your skin more sensitive to light. This process usually involves killing a small amount of healthy tissue along with the cancer itself.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Common skin cancer treatments for SCC encompass:

• Curettage and electrodesiccation.
• Chemotherapy, where drugs are used to kill the cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy, which involves medication that forces your immune system to attack the cancerous cells.

Melanoma

For melanoma, treatment options might involve:

• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Lymphadenectomy, a surgery that removes lymph nodes in cases of Stage 3 melanoma.

Learn More About Common Skin Cancer Treatment Options

Dermatologists might recommend any number of life-saving skin cancer treatment options. To learn more about skin cancer treatment in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX, we invite you to connect with Perri Dermatology.