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Skin Cancer Treatments

SKIN CANCER DESCRIPTION

Skin cancer treatments in Orlando are designed to effectively remove any cancerous growths from the skin. Skin cancer can be treated with surgical removal or non-surgical treatments. When performing a skin cancer treatment, it is important to prioritize removing any unhealthy skin cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Our dermatologist and dermatology team uses state-of-the-art technology and the most innovative techniques when performing skin cancer treatment or surgery.

Skin cancer is a condition when the skin cells grow abnormally fast. Skin cancer is, in the majority of cases, caused by harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds. Because of this, skin cancer typically occurs in areas that experience high sun exposure, such as the face, neck, scalp, or shoulders. There are 3 main types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Each of these skin cancers affects a different skin cell. As the names imply, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma affect the basal cells and squamous cells respectively. Melanoma is a skin cancer that affects the melanocytes, also known as the cells that produce melanin which provides skin with its color.

Signs of skin cancer depend on which type of skin cancer you have. Basal cell carcinoma often results in an open lesion that does not heal, a shiny nodule, a scar-like lesion, or a small pink growth. On the other hand, squamous cell carcinoma may cause a flat sore with a scaly crust, a new sore forming on an old scar, red patches within the mouth, or an open sore on the lips. Melanoma is a severe form of skin cancer that can occur from an existing mole or develop as a new growth entirely. Melanoma often causes darkening of the skin, changes in mole color, or moles that are irregular in size, shape, or appearance.

SKIN CANCER TREATMENT PROCEDURE

Some of the most common skin cancer treatments include cryotherapy, excisional surgery, Mohs surgery, photodynamic therapy, and radiation therapy. These treatments and surgeries can also be performed on a pre-cancerous mole or growth as a preventive measure to ensure skin cancer does not develop in that area.

CRYOTHERAPY

Cryotherapy, also known as cryosurgery, uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy pre-cancerous tissues. In the majority of cases, cryotherapy is used for pre-cancerous growths as a preventive measure. In some instances, cryotherapy may be used to treat a very small or new cancerous growth. During cryotherapy, the skin is first numbed with a local anesthetic. The liquid nitrogen is then applied to the cancerous growth. The application of liquid nitrogen may be repeated depending on the size of the growth.

EXCISIONAL SURGERY

Excisional skin cancer surgery involves directly cutting or shaving away the cancerous growth and any unhealthy surrounding tissue. Excisional skin cancer surgery can effectively treat all types of skin cancer. Prior to your procedure, the area will be numbed with a local anesthetic to ensure patient comfort. Our dermatologist and dermatology team will then remove the cancerous growth and a small margin of tissue surrounding the growth to ensure that there is as little a chance for recurrence as possible. If needed, sutures will be applied after the removal of a cancerous lesion, depending on its size.

MOHS SURGERY

Mohs surgery is an effective skin cancer treatment that is typically used for larger or more complex skin cancer growths. Mohs surgery is often performed in areas where it is necessary to preserve as much healthy skin as possible. One of the most common places Mohs surgery is performed is on the nose. In the majority of cases, Mohs surgery is only used to treat squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. During Mohs surgery, the cancerous growth is removed layer by layer. After each layer is removed, it will be examined under a microscope to determine if abnormal cells remain. Cancerous tissues continue to be removed layer by layer until there are no abnormal skin cells left when viewed under the microscope.

PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY

Photodynamic therapy is a skin cancer treatment that destroys cancerous cells with a combination of laser light technology and a topical cream that makes the cells highly sensitive to light. Photodynamic therapy is often used to treat skin cancer that has developed directly over a bone, such as on the shins or hands. To begin your photodynamic therapy treatment, the topical cream will be applied and a dressing will cover the area. It will take a few hours for the topical cream to take effect. Once it has taken effect, light therapy will be performed on the cancerous growths. Following your photodynamic skin cancer treatment, dressings will be applied to the treatment areas to protect them from light until the topical cream has worn off.

RADIATION THERAPY

Radiation therapy for skin cancer is often recommended when a cancerous growth is very large or extremely difficult to remove completely with surgery. In some cases, radiation therapy can be combined with other skin cancer treatments for the most effective results. Radiation therapy uses low energy x-rays during superficial radiation therapy or electrons during electron beam radiation. These forms of radiation do not penetrate farther than the skin, which limits your body’s exposure to radiation.