Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among people of all races and ages. It can occur on any body part, including your face, neck, or near the skin’s surface. Skin cancer often shows no early or visible symptoms. As a result, it can often go unnoticed for a long period. However, through a skin cancer Downtown DC examination, you can determine how far your condition has progressed and the most applicable treatment. You can develop skin cancer due to overexposure to sunlight or frequent contact with certain chemicals such as coal or tar. Talk to your doctor immediately if your skin changes or develops new growth. Below are various effective treatments to prevent skin cancer from further damaging your skin.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is a method of treatment for skin cancer. During treatment, your doctor freezes the area of your skin with liquid nitrogen, killing any cancer cells and leaving healthy tissue untouched. Cryosurgery may be an option if you have basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), or some other type of malignant skin cancer.
This procedure has been known to be effective in treating BCC but is not recommendable for melanoma. This is because melanomas spread quickly and cannot be frozen with liquid nitrogen alone.
Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is more precise in treating skin cancer than other therapies. It can be performed by a doctor using local anesthesia. During the procedure, your doctor makes an incision on one side of your face and removes any abnormal tissue using sharp surgical tools like a scalpel or scissors. Afterward, they suture the remaining healthy tissue using stitches that dissolve over time. After the procedure, you might experience minimal scarring compared o other treatments, such as cryosurgery.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy is a treatment that kills skin cancer cells by using light energy. While photodynamic therapy is not a stand-alone treatment option, it may be an effective adjunct to other therapies. However, this is only possible if your doctor determines you have a low risk of recurrence or metastasis.
The procedure involves injecting a drug called bleomycin into the skin lesions. The bleomycin breaks down into smaller molecules that bind to your tumor cells’ DNA. When this happens, they eventually die off without harming the healthy surrounding tissues of your skin.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a group of treatments that use chemical agents to kill cancer cells. These drugs can be administered by your doctor intravenously or orally. For example, methotrexate, adriamycin, and cisplatin can treat certain types of leukemia. On the other hand, mechlorethamine and cyclophosphamide can treat Hodgkin’s disease and lymphomas, respectively.
Topical medications
Topical medications can treat skin cancer by applying directly to your skin. These medications include creams and ointments. Some topical medications can also prevent skin cancer recurrence after treatment has been completed.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy can effectively treat skin cancer. It uses high-energy radiation beams to destroy cancer cells. While used with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery, it can effectively kill new and developing cancer cells. However, this type of treatment is only effective, depending on your cancer type.
With so many treatment options for skin cancer, it can be hard to know which might work best for you. Once you notice any persistent unusual symptoms on your skin, visit your doctor for a proper check-up. Doing so can help detect skin cancer early and prevent it from spreading. Also, consult your doctor for clarification if you are uncertain about what to expect during treatment.
