The thought of having skin cancer is scary for most individuals. Early detection and treatment are key factors for many individuals who have skin cancers. Skin cancer is often categorized into two major groups: melanoma and nonmelanoma. Both have high success rates when diagnosed and treated early. Like other types of cancer, individuals diagnosed with skin cancer will need to ensure that they get routine tests performed if their cancer has been cured. Cancer may stay in remission but could return, which is why it requires lifetime monitoring. The following points identify a few skin cancer treatments.

Surgery

There are several surgical options for skin cancer treatments. Surgical instruments can be used by dermatologists to make excisions to remove cancerous tumors. Lasers can also be used for the same purpose. Both treatment options are effective. The laser excision option causes less concern over blood loss. It can be chosen due to personal preference or recommended if an individual has another health condition that predisposes them to excessive bleeding or if they have blood clotting issues.

There are other options such as cryosurgery which involves using liquid carbon dioxide or nitrogen to freeze cancerous growths and later remove them. Electrodissefication involves removing cancerous tumors with surgical instruments, which is followed up by administering electrical currents to the cancer site to eradicate any remaining cancer cells. Dermabrasion and shaving away tumors are also considered surgical interventions. The latter involves shaving cancerous growth off of the skin, and the other involves removing the cancerous epidermis skin cells in the affected area.

Therapy Treatments

There are a variety of therapeutic skin cancer treatments. Chemotherapy is one that most individuals have heard of at some point in their lives. It is commonly used to treat skin cancer that is in advanced stages and involves using strong drugs to eradicate cancer. Photodynamic therapy is another option, but it is not ideal for all types of skin cancer. This option involves using laser treatments and drugs. Immunotherapy involves stimulating an individual's immune system to defend the body against cancer spread and eradicate existing cancer cells.

A dermatologist is a good resource to use to understand more about skin cancer treatments. They can perform tests to determine if skin areas of concern are cancerous or precancerous. Based on the diagnosis, they can pair patients with appropriate treatments. Some individuals may need to have more than one skin cancer treatment to successfully cure their cancer. Keep these tips in mind when looking for skin cancer treatments near you.