Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that Americans are diagnosed with; according to the statistics 5.5 million cases were registered in 2012 alone.
More people are diagnosed with skin cancer than any other type and Actinic keratosis is the most common of them all, nearly 58 million Americans are affected by the disease. A report suggests that 1 in every 5 Americans will develop some form of skin cancer by the age of 70.
If the disease is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, the survival chances of the patients are high. Due to the advancement of medical science and technology there are several treatments available for treating the disease and are recommended by the dermatologist in Southlake, TX.
Different treatment methods for skin cancer
There are different methods for treating the skin cancer, depending on the type and stage of the disease. Following are the treatments recommended by the dermatologists in Southlake, TX:
1. Mohs surgery
It is a surgical technique that is used to treat skin cancer; a micrographic surgery is carried out in which skin layers containing cancer tissues are removed progressively and are examined until only the cancer-free tissues are left.
The goal of this treatment is to remove the cancerous tissues as much as possible without damaging the surrounding healthy tissues.
When to choose?
As per the dermatologists in Southlake, TX, this procedure should be used in the following conditions:
- This method is used for the cancer that has a high chance of reoccurring.
- In a situation where you want to preserve more healthy tissue around the infected area, this method is effective.
- This treatment can be useful if a large area is affected and has no defined borders.
Results
The best part of this treatment is that you see the results right after the surgery has been completed. The procedure does not stop until all the cancerous cells have been removed.
2. Curettage and Electrodesiccation
Curettage and electrodesiccation (C&E) is a procedure used to treat low-risk tumors and precancerous lesions. In this procedure an electric needle is injected in the affected area which scrapes away and destroys the remaining cancerous cells. It is an inexpensive treatment that can be performed in a clinic.
When to choose?
As per the dermatologists in Southlake, TX, this procedure should be used in the following conditions:
- It can be used to treat low risk basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
- It can be a good option for treating precancer, actinic keratosis.
- This method is the most effective for cancer that’s still in its early stages.
Results
Results are excellent when done by an expert dermatologist in Southlake, TX; it cures up to 96% of low-risk tumors.
3. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
The procedure of this method requires the patient to use a drug called a photosensitizer or photosensitizing agent. The drug when exposed to a certain wavelength of light kills all nearby cancer cells.
When to choose?
As per the dermatologists in Southlake, TX, this procedure should be used in the following conditions:
- This method is useful when the skin cancer has developed just above the bone, such as in Bowen’s disease.
Results
Usually a single treatment is enough, but 2 or 3 treatments may be prescribed if the tumor is thick. While it shows results, it has some limitations.
4. Excisional skin surgery
In this surgery the cancer tissues are removed along with some of the healthy tissues as well. If the treated and now removed area is extensive, it is compensated by a skin graft. This method is different from mohs surgery; in mohs surgery cancerous skin layers are removed one by one.
When to choose
As per the dermatologists in Southlake, TX, this procedure should be used in the following conditions:
- To treat the patients suffering from basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
- It is also opted if the cancer-ridden area is quite large.
Results
- This treatment has a cure percentage of about 95% when treating basal cell carcinoma, when used for treating squamous cell carcinoma, the results were equally impressive.
5. Imiquimod treatment
It is a topical treatment to treat skin cancer that is recommended by experienced dermatologists in Southlake,TX. It is a cream that uses your body’s natural defense system to fight cancer cells. It works by releasing a cytokine called interferon.
This is a protein that the body makes naturally during an immune response; these interferons fight cancer cells and inhibit their growth.
When to choose
As per the dermatologists in Southlake, TX, this procedure should be used in the following conditions:
- This method is approved to treat basal cell skin cancers (BCCs) that measure up to 2cm across.
- This method is prescribed for the people who are suffering from actinic karatosis.
Results
It is an effective treatment which gives good results if used during the early stages. However, opt for a different treatment if the cancer is in its more developed stages.
6. Methyl aminolevulinate treatment
Methyl aminolevulinate is a topical photosensitizing agent that is use in PDT to treat skin cancer. When the cream is applied on the affected area, it is absorbed by the cancer cells and the drug coverts into photoactive porphyrins on exposure to light; a molecular reaction occurs that causes the destruction of the cancerous cell.
When to choose
As per the dermatologists in Southlake, TX, this procedure should be used in the following conditions:
- This method can potentially treat actinic keratoses on the face and scalp.
- Often prescribed to treat thin nodular basal cell carcinomas.
Result
It is an effective method for treating the disease during an early stage.
The bottom line
Cancer is a life-threatening disease, however, an early diagnosis can help increase the chances to defeat this fatal disease. Therefore it is necessary to get your skin scanned from time to time by a good dermatologist in Southlake, TX.
At Compassion Dermatology all treatments related to skin our provided in a safe, hygienic environment. The professional doctors here thoroughly evaluate the skin’s condition and then recommend you the skin treatment you should opt for.
