Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers
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Knowing which type of cancer cell causes your skin cancer is important. Basal and squamous cancer cells, often referred to as non-melanoma skin cancers, are the most common form of skin cancer and usually result from too much sun exposure. While they need to be removed completely, they are treated differently than the more aggressive melanoma.
Our dermatologists detect and remove all skin cancers and work closely with cancer specialists when melanoma is diagnosed. Our goals are to provide the best care possible for your skin cancer and to achieve the best results.
Treatments for Precancerous Lesions
Treatments Overview
Suspicious areas on the skin that may be related to sun damage (sometimes referred to as actinic keratosis) and very superficial cancer growths on the top layer of your skin may be treated with:
Cryosurgery
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Liquid nitrogen spray freezes the suspicious area. A blister may form and fall off. New skin grows in its place.
Topical Chemotherapy Cream
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Multiple applications of cream to the suspicious area destroy superficial cancer cells over time.
Photodynamic Therapy
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A liquid drug is applied to the affected area and makes it sensitive to light. After an extended period of time, the area is targeted by a special light source, which removes the suspicious lesion.
Laser Surgery
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A laser beam destroys the suspicious area and surrounding skin.
Treatments for Cancerous Lesions
Treatments Overview
Your doctor will develop a treatment plan for your skin cancer based on its location, how deeply it has penetrated the surface of your skin, and whether it has spread. Treatment options for basal and squamous cancers include:
Electrodessication and Curettage (ED&C)
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A knifelike instrument, called a curette, is used to scrape away the layers of small cancerous lesions. An electric needle is then used to cauterize the wound. This stops the bleeding, seals the area, and destroys any remaining cancer cells.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
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Critical to the treatment of high-risk skin cancer, especially on the head and neck. Layers of basal cell or squamous cell cancers are surgically removed and examined under a microscope to ensure no cancerous cells remain.
Targeted Therapy
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When skin cancer spreads to other areas of the body or hasn’t responded to other treatments, a medication called vismodegib may be prescribed to block proteins in genes that tell cancer cells to grow. Vismodegib has been approved by the FDA and is only prescribed by dermatologists, like ours, who have expertise with this medication.
Radiation Therapy
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X-rays destroy cancer cells or shrink tumors. May be used in very select cases or to treat advanced basal-cell cancers.
Skin Grafting and Reconstructive Surgery
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A skin graft from another part of your body is used to cover wounds after total removal of skin cancer. The grafting and reconstructive surgery promotes healing, restores the skin’s appearance and function, and minimizes the long-term impact of skin cancer surgery.
Experienced Skin Cancer Care
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Expertise in Advanced Skin Cancers
While it’s rare for basal cell and squamous cell cancers to spread, it can happen. In addition, these cancers often grow locally and can damage structures on the face, including the nose and ears. Treating them effectively is crucial to ensuring the best possible outcome. We choose the best medical or surgical treatments for early and advanced skin cancers, to ensure you receive the most effective care for your condition.
A Team Approach to Care
In addition to dermatologists, your team may include medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists; otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors); dermatopathologists (specialists who look at skin diseases at a cellular level); plastic surgeons; ophthalmologists; and radiologists, when their expertise is needed to develop the most effective treatment plan for you.
Expertise in Head and Neck Skin Cancer
Our experienced ear, nose, and throat surgeons are specially trained in removing skin cancers that involve the head and neck. Their expertise in working exclusively on the head and neck increases the likelihood that you will have positive outcomes for these complicated procedures.
Support for You and Your Family
Our comprehensive support services help you minimize the side effects of cancer treatment and help you and your family cope with the emotional and psychological effects of diagnosis and treatment. View all of our cancer support groups in our event calendar.
