Skin is the largest organ in the human body, and it protects the body from all sorts of infection, sunlight, injuries and heat. It also helps absorb and store Vitamin D, fat and water and controls the body’s temperature. Unfortunately, skin cancer can originate anywhere on the body’s surface and is commonly seen in areas like hands, arms, neck, and face when exposed to sunlight for a long time. Two common forms of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
If you are suffering from a skin condition like actinic keratosis, it later advances to squamous cell carcinoma. Various treatments that help cure skin cancer are detected in the early stage. The doctors who deal with skin cancer treatment in Toowoomba suggest carrying on tests for early detection of skin cancer.
The Common Treatments for Skin Cancer
There are various treatment options the patients get when they have been detected with skin cancer. If you have skin cancer and want to know about the treatments, they are described below-
Surgical Procedures
The ultimate treatment for skin cancer is surgery, as most patients want to remove it from the roots. In most skin cancer cases, minor surgery is needed to treat squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. The doctors uses local anaesthesia when the cancerous cells are removed. However, various techniques are applicable for removing the cancer cells depending on the size, location and cancer stage.
Generally, more significant cancer needs to have general anaesthesia, and a skin graft is also needed if cancer gets spread over a large area. If there is a risk of cancer being spread to the lymph nodes, the doctor suggests removing them.
Chemotherapy
Chemo injections and creams are also used in some cases for skin cancer. The chemo cream is used for treating actinic keratosis and solar cancers, which are mainly caused due to overexposure of sunlight. On the other hand, injections and tablets are used to treat skin cancer that has spread to other body parts.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is used when the surgery is not apt for the patient due to several other health issues and the patient’s age. It becomes difficult for the doctors to operate when the cancer is detected. In some patients, radiotherapy is also used along with operation and chemotherapy to prevent cancer from coming up again. Skin cancer spread to the lymph is also treated with this method.
Immunotherapy
Doctors say it is the recent skin cancer treatment in Toowoomba and other places. This treatment mainly treats squamous cell carcinoma that starts in the mouth and nose and then moves to the neck and areas stimulated by the immune system.
These are some of the most popular skin cancer treatments that patients can undertake. At Drayton Medical, the team is well experienced in dealing with skin cancer and types of skin cancer. We suggest that early detection and diagnosis are crucial. Contact us to learn more.