Every year, the two most common types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, account in the United States for more than a million cases of skin cancer. Medical professionals designate these two types as non-melanoma skin cancers. This acts to distinguish them from their more deadly counterpart: melanoma.
Approximately 1% of those who get skin cancer suffer from the more severe type: melanoma. This deadly form of cancer accounted for approximately 120,000 cases in 2010. Of those affected, a high percentage suffered from invasive melanoma. Moreover, the disease had a greater impact on men than women. Those most affected are individuals over 50, but increasing melanoma appears in younger people who refuse to abandon tanning during the summer.1 Even toddlers can get skin cancer if they are not protected.
Yet, many people refuse to take care of the potential problem. They do not cover up or wear appropriate skin protection. These safety precautions are more important if you happen to be among those who are more susceptible to skin cancer, including melanoma. This category includes those with a fair complexion, those who burn quickly and those who have a family history of skin cancer. In the case of melanoma, the amount and size of moles also plays a significant role as both an indicator and a predictor of the disease.2
Treatment Options
If you are one of the many individuals who suffer from skin cancer, you have several different options. Some approaches are holistic; others are traditional. Depending upon what your medical professional says, you may opt for one of the following types of traditional treatments:3
- Topical – this refers to the application of a cream or solution form of anti-cancer drug directly onto the skin.
- Minor surgery – Forms of this type of procedure are simple excision, shave excision and dermabrasion.
- Radiation – This consists of the use of radiation to help kill off cells. It is often employed when surgery and other forms of treatment are not an option.
- Curettage and electrodessication – This is the whittling away of the tumor and cancer cells using a curette (or scalpel) and an electrified needle. The former cuts away while the latter destroys the cancer cells that remaining
- Chemotherapy – This is a type of cancer treatment that uses doses of drugs injected into the veins or muscles to prevent growth or kill the cells off. The drugs can also be taken orally.
- Sentinel node biopsy (Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy) – This procedure involves the full or partial removal of the sentinel lymph node. The node is identified before it is removed and examined for the presence of any cancer cells. If this one does not have any cancer cells, it is assumed none of the others have. If cancer cells are present, the surgeon will remove the entire lymph node group. This has been performed with cases of melanoma.
- General surgery – This is most common for melanoma. It may refer to various types of surgical procedures designed to remove the cancer growth or prevent any further spreading of the cells
- MOHS surgery – This is a form of surgery in which the cancerous layers of skin are removed and examined. Once the biopsy reveals the sample of skin to be free from cancer cells, the cutting and removal stops4
What you need to remember is that these traditional treatments are not always a singular matter. You may mix and match. In some cases, surgery is followed by radiation or chemotherapy. The combining of various methods is intended to improve your chances of becoming free of any cancer.5
How to Choose your Procedure
While the final decision on what type of treatment you want, what you need is based on several factors. These include the type of cancer, the extent of its spread, your medical situation, the size of the tumor and the location.6 Your specialist, for example will want to treat actinic keratosis different than melanoma. He or she would prefer MOHS surgery to Minor Surgery if the growth is localized and small.
The decision you make depends upon your preference and situation as well as the concerns of your doctor. It is necessary for you to do your research on the options and talk to your doctor. Have him or her explain what is going on, what is possible and what he or thinks will be most effective.
You should also talk about such factors as length of the procedure and whether it is a single session or many? You need to know the possible and known side-effects, recovery time period and the chances of reoccurrence. Ask about such things as after-care. Will you need time off work? Will you require special medications or nursing?
Besides talking to your doctor or a specialist, you might also consider contacting the American Cancer Society or other similar organizations for further information and even clarification. They can tell you about any clinical trials. They can inform you about the latest research available. Such organizations are aware of the latest statistics and the most current information. They can also advise you on specifics concerning cancer medical centers.
Once you have all the information possible, you can arrive at an informed decision. While it is best to let your medical professional guide you, it is nevertheless up to you to make the final judgment about what you want. Be clear. Be firm but be careful.
References
1 Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre (2011). “Skin Cancer.” Retrieved from www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/420.cfm
2 University of Southern California Medical Centre (2011) “Melanoma.” Retrieved from general.surgery.ucsf.edu/conditions–procedures/melanoma.aspx#
3 Sarg, M. S. and Gross, A. D. (2007). The Cancer Dictionary Third Edition. New York: Checkmark Books.
4 American Cancer Society. (2011). Skin Cancer. Retrieved from www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-OverviewMelanoma/OverviewGuide/melanoma-skin-cancer-overview-treating-c-a-m
5 Mayo Clinic Staff (2011). “Treatment and Drugs.” Retrieved from (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011)www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/DS00190/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
6 National Cancer Society (2010). “General Information about Skin Cancer.” Retrieved from www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/skin/Patient
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