6 Main Types Of Skin Cancer Treatments
Imagine ignoring an abnormal growth on your skin only to find out that it is skin cancer. That is shocking, right? It is, therefore, imperative to seek medical intervention. Skin cancer is one of the common kinds of cancers diagnosed by doctors. If found early, skin cancer is treatable with relevant drugs, procedures, and outpatient surgery. Your doctor will guide and recommend the treatment of choice based on your diagnosis. That said, here are the various types of skin cancer treatments:
1. Surgery
A simple surgical process can remove skin growth quickly and effectively. In such cases, there is hardly any further medication required. The cancer cells are detached alongside a small amount of adjoining skin. Surgery usually depends on the type of skin cancer, size, and location of the cancer cells. More invasive skin cancers like melanoma need more substantial surgeries.
2. Photodynamic therapy
It is a process that does not require a surgical procedure. The technique removes the cancer cells through photo-phobic drugs and light. A special cream is applied over the area with cancer cells and then uncovered to a light-releasing device for a few hours.
3. Chemotherapy
Mostly, it is endorsed to patients with advanced skin cancer. It entails the use of drugs orally or injection through the vein to eliminate cancer cells. The medication moves through the bloodstream to strike the cancer cells that have advanced beyond the skin. Chemotherapy is done in series to grant the body time to heal.
4. Radiation therapy
Doctors recommend radiotherapy mainly after surgery. The procedure uses electron beams to kill the remaining cancer cells in the area that was affected. In case of a recurrent, it is used to diminish the symptoms and eliminate the spread of the disease.
5. Targeted therapy
This works by looking for specific features in the cancer cells. The medications used are drafted to connect themselves to those cells and eliminate them. The drugs hinder the role of abnormal molecules and control their growth.
6. Immunotherapy
This therapy is intended to help the immune system recognize and fight cancer cells. Doctors use cytokines drugs to balance the immune ventures. The use of checkpoint inhibitors is suitable in killing proteins that enable cells to falsify themselves as healthy cells. This therapy revives the immune system and, therefore, is not ideal for all patients.
Skin cancer usually begins as changes on your skin. Learn to identify the premature signs and get treatment. For more information on skin cancer treatments, contact a local medical professional.
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