Skin Cancer Treatments
- Skin cancer Surgery -MOH's
- Photodynamic Therapy
- Electrodessication and Curettage
- Excision
- Radiation Therapy
Electrodessication and Curettage
Electrodessication and curettage involves rubbing the tumor with a sharp metal loop then destroying the affected tissue with an electrocautery device. Many times the diseased tissue can be differentiated from the normal tissue by the texture felt while scraping. This process is repeated several times to ensure complete removal of the tumor. This procedure is useful for small tumors less than 6 mm because it tends to leave only a smallscar.
Excision
This procedure involves surgical excision of the lesion including a margin of normal skin. This method is preferred for larger lesions (>2cm) on the cheek, forehead, trunk, and extremities. The advantage of this treatment is that it provides a better cure rate then simple destruction with curretage.
Radiation Therapy
This procedure involves a course of radiation therapy to the tumor area. It is used for some primary tumors in patients who are not fit for surgery or have inoperable tumors. It may also be used where tumors are difficult to excise or where it is important to preserve surrounding tissue such as the lip. Although it is not used as often as surgery, it remains an important treatment option for suitable patients.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
This treatment is used most commonly to selectively target cancerous and pre-cancerous tissue of the skin. A solution is first applied to the skin to make abnormal tissue more sensitive to light. After this solution is left on the skin for 1-2 hours, the treated skin is exposed to a visible light, such as blue or laser light. The light activates the solution and selectively destroys the pre-cancerous tissue . As the skin heals, new healthy skin appears. This treatment modality has also been found to be effective for treating acne vulgaris in some patients.
Mohs’ Surgery
Mohs' micrographic surgery is a special type skin surgery that must be performed by an experienced Mohs' surgeon. It involves excision of the tumor and immediate examination of the tissue under the microscope to determine margins. This examination is performed in about half an hour while the patient waits for the results in the waiting room. If any residual tumor is discovered, it can be mapped out and excised immediately. The process of excision and examination of margins may have to be repeated several times to achieve clear margins. The advantage of this technique is that complete removal of the tumor is more definitive with a lower recurrence rate than other treatment options. Tissue is also spared and leads to minimal scarring. The disadvantage is the time involved. Mohs surgery is best suited for patient with large head or neck cancers, skin cancers on difficult to treat areas like the nose or lips, and recurrent skin cancers. For more information please click here
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