DIAGNOSING AND TREATING SKIN CANCER

There are a variety of treatments for skin cancer

The options offered will depend on several factors including the size of the skin cancer, where it is on the body and biopsy results.

Most skin cancers are detected and cured before they spread.

Melanoma that has spread to other organs presents the greatest treatment challenge.

Diagnosis

Your GP can examine your skin for signs of skin cancer and may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) or a specialist plastic surgeon if they're unsure.

Doctors use Roman numerals I through IV to indicate a cancer's stage. Stage I cancers are small and limited to the area where they began. Stage IV indicates advanced cancer that has spread to other areas of the body.

The skin cancer's stage helps determine which treatment options will be most effective.

Treatment

Treatment options for skin cancer and precancerous skin lesions will vary, depending on the size, type, depth and location of the lesions.

Small skin cancers limited to the surface of the skin may not require treatment beyond an initial biopsy that removes the entire growth.

If additional treatment is needed, options may include:

Freezing: Some small, early skin cancers are destroyed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery).

Excisional surgery: The cancerous tissue and a surrounding margin of healthy skin is cut out.

Mohs surgery: This procedure is for larger, recurring or difficult-to-treat skin cancers. It's often used in areas where it's necessary to conserve as much skin as possible, such as the nose. The skin growth is removed layer by layer, until no abnormal cells remain. This procedure allows cancerous cells to be removed without taking an excessive amount of surrounding healthy skin.

Radiation therapy: High-powered energy beams, such as X-rays, are used to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be an option when cancer can't be completely removed during surgery.

Chemotherapy: Drugs are used to kill cancer cells. For cancers limited to the top layer of skin, creams or lotions containing anti-cancer agents may be applied directly.

Biological therapy: Biological therapy uses the body's immune system to kill cancer cells.