There are three main types of skin cancer: squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is found on the outer layer of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma is found on the surface of the skin and melanoma is found in the cells that are responsible to produce the color of the skin. Hence, treatment for skin cancer varies according to its type; the treatment for treatment for basalt skin cancer is not the same as squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma. Before we discuss the options of treatment for skin cancer let us discuss its causes, symptoms and diagnosis.

Extreme exposure to ultraviolet radiations is one of the main causes of skin cancer. Besides this, HPV infections, marjolin’s ulcers, exposure to ionizing radiations, excessive tanning and smoking of tobacco can also skin cancer. A patient suffering from skin cancer often complaints of changes in skin that do not heal, discolored skin, enlargement of moles or skin ulcers. Diagnosis of skin cancer includes a skin biopsy, where the sample of the suspicious / affected area of the skin is examined under a microscope. It is mostly done by the dermatologist and if something suspicious is detected here, then the patient might be told to do blood tests and x-ray. After this, the reports are studied and then the proposed method of treatment is decided for the patient.

Surgery for Skin Cancer Treatment

Surgery is mostly the first option given by most of the oncologists. There are different types of surgeries that can be done to relieve the patient from skin cancer. The type of surgery done will depend on the type of skin cancer the patient is suffering from and the extent to which the carcinoma has spread inside the patient’s body. Let us discuss a few of these types.

• Excisional Skin Surgery: In this method the affected area is removed using a scalpel. Before removing the tumor, this area is made numb and then the cancerous cell is cut. This method is called simple excision. In some cases, shave excision, where the affected area is shaved off the skin’s surface, with the help of a blade.
• Mohs Surgery: In this method, cancerous cells are cut in thin layers and only the part of the skin which is affected by the cancerous cells is removed, by monitoring the taken sections under a microscope continuously. These thin sections are removed till no cancerous cell is observed under the microscope. This type of surgery is done when the cancer is diagnosed in its early stages. It is also one of the options of treatment for melanoma skin cancer.
• Electrodesiccation: In this method, curettage (spoon like surgical tool) is used to remove cancerous cell. Once this is done, electric current is passed through the affected area, using a needle shaped electrode, to kill the remaining cancer cells, which were not removed using the curettage. This passing of electric current is repeated at least three times to ensure that all the cancerous cells are killed. The current is generally passed round the edges of the cut section. Electrodesiccation is used as a method of treatment for treatment for basal cell skin cancer.
• Cryosurgery: In this method, liquid nitrogen is sprayed using a nozzle on the affected area of the skin and the area is freezed completely. Once this is done, the cancerous cells do not grow further and die out. This method kills the cancerous cells in situ.
• Laser Surgery: In this method, a narrow beam of light is used and cut is given on the surface of the skin. In the presence of this beam of light the cancerous cell is removed.

Chemotherapy for Skin Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy involves the administration of different combination of drugs either in the form of pills or cream or lotion or in the form of intravenous injections, to kill the cancerous cells accumulated in the layers of the skin. When chemotherapy is given in the form of cream or lotion, it is termed as topical chemotherapy. This method is mostly opted by the oncologists when the skin cancer has spread to all the parts of the skin and cannot be removed using a surgical procedure.

Radiation Therapy for Skin Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy involves the usage of high energy radiations or x-rays to kill the cancer cells. It is mostly given when surgery cannot be opted as a method of treatment for cancer. It is also given when the cancerous cells have recurred after they had been removed using a surgical procedure, initially. This therapy can be given externally or internally. This depends on the type of skin cancer the patient is suffering from.

Photodynamic Therapy for Skin Cancer Treatment

Photodynamic therapy involves the administration of a drug and laser to kill the cancerous cells. This drug is given either intravenously or in the form of a cream and is not active unless it is exposed to light. Once the laser is shined on the skin, the drug becomes active and starts reacting with the cancerous cells to kill them. It causes very little damage to the nearby healthy tissues, hence is a very effective method to kill the cancerous cell found near the surface of the skin

These were a few options of treatment for skin cancer. These options cure skin cancer effectively and help the patient enjoy a prolonged life.