3 Treatment Options For Skin Cancer
Posted on: 24 August 2015
More people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States than all other cancers combined. If you have been recently diagnosed, your oncologist will assess your condition and develop a treatment plant. To better help you understand the possible treatment options, here are some of the most commonly used treatments.
Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is a procedure that involves the surgeon removing layers of skin one at a time. After the removal of each layer, the surgeon will check for cancerous cells. Once there are none present or detected, the procedure is complete.
The surgery is usually recommended for people who have skin cancer that has proven to be difficult to treat. It is also an option for removing cancerous cells from areas that should not have a great deal of skin removed.
Cryosurgery
If you are in the early stages of skin cancer, your oncologist could recommend cryosurgery. The procedure involves removing cancerous cells by freezing them. Once the cells begin to thaw, they are removed by the doctor.
Cryosurgery is usually done in conjunction with another treatment. For instance, your doctor might also recommend that you undergo radiation therapy. Radiation therapy involves using high energy beams to kill cancerous cells.
Excision
Another possible treatment is excision. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the cancerous cells. He or she will also remove a portion of the healthy tissue that surrounds the cancerous cells. Depending on the size of your wound, the surgeon might also perform a skin graft to replace the skin removed during the procedure. If only a small portion of the skin is removed, stitches might be enough to close the incision.
Excision is usually an option for more advanced skin cancer. It is also used in areas in which conserving healthy tissue is not as big of an issue. Unlike Mohs surgery, your surgeon will not stop to examine each layer of skin removed for signs of cancerous cells.
As with other treatment options, your oncologist might recommend the use of a combination of therapies. Excision is usually paired with radiation. Chemotherapy could also be recommended if the cancer has spread.
Your oncologist is in the best position to help you determine what treatment is best. He or she will assess your condition and provide you with a sound recommendation based on how far your cancer has progressed. Talk to your oncologist about any concerns you have about the treatment options recommended. For more information, you can also contact a company like Countryside Dermatology & Laser Center.
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