Skin Cancer Treatment: Exploring Effective Care Options
Skin cancer treatment options vary based on the type and stage of cancer. Common treatments include surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, and newer options like immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Early-stage skin cancers may be treated with localized treatments, while more advanced stages may require a combination of therapies. Your doctor will recommend the most effective treatment based on the specifics of your condition, ensuring the best chance for recovery and reducing the risk of recurrence.
Your treatment preferences for skin cancer depend on the size, type, depth, and location of the lesions. After considering these factors, your doctor may recommend one of the following treatments:
This type may be considered for the small, well-defined primary tumour. In this, early skin cancer cells are frozen with liquid nitrogen, called cryosurgery. You may need to repeat the treatment to remove the growth fully.
This type of treatment may be suitable for any type of skin cancer. Your doctor cuts the cancerous tissue and the surrounding margin of healthy skin.
A powerful beam of light destroys the growth with little damage to the surrounding tissue. It may lead to bleeding, swelling, and scarring. The doctor may use this therapy to treat superficial skin cancers.
This is for larger, recurring, or difficult-to-treat skin cancers. It is often used in areas where it is necessary to protect as much skin as possible, such as on the nose. Your doctor removes the skin growth until no abnormal cells remain. This method has the maximum cure rate of all surgical treatments.
It uses high beams, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells. It can be used when cancer cells are not completely removed during skin cancer surgery.
In this therapy, drugs are used to destroy cancer cells. If the cancer is in the top layer of the skin, then anti-cancer agents may be applied directly to the skin. It is often used for cancer cells in an arm or leg that frequently recur.
In this treatment, both laser and drugs are used to destroy the cancer cells.
This therapy uses your body’s immune system to kill cancer cells.
To know more, please visit the immunotherapy page.
After removing most of the growth, your doctor scrapes away layers of cancer cells with a circular blade called a curet. An electric needle breaks any remaining cancer cells. This method is the most widely used for removing primary basal cell carcinomas.
Treatments that doctors typically perform in different stages of cancer are:
Cancer has not spread beyond the top layer of your skin at this stage. Your doctor will most likely remove the cancer as well as a small area of skin around it. Wide excision surgery is the term for this procedure.
If the lesion is on your face, your doctor may suggest Mohs surgery. They’ll do this by removing thin layers of skin until they see where the cancer ends. The objective is to eliminate cancer while preserving as much healthy skin as possible.
In these stages, melanomas are usually treated with wide excision surgery.
If your cancer appears to be spreading or growing quickly, your doctor may suggest a sentinel lymph node biopsy. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that are found all over the body and are part of your immune system.Â
If the disease has spread, your surgeon will remove the lymph node that is most likely to contain cancer cells and send it to a lab for testing.
When cancer has spread to your lymph nodes but not elsewhere in your body, you are in Stage 3. When it has spread to your lymph nodes and other areas, you are in Stage 4.
Surgery to remove the tumor and any affected lymph nodes is usually the first step in either case.
Other treatment options could include:
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Isolated limb perfusion (heated dose of chemotherapy)
When selecting a country for skin cancer treatment, patients must consider a number of factors, including the country’s healthcare system. Cancer is treated with advanced technologies. You should also consider the patients’ success and survival rates in the country.
The cost of treatment as well as your stay in that country. Other logistical factors to consider include flights, transportation, food, and lodging.
The United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and India have the best healthcare facilities and have the highest success and survival rates. The success rates and treatment options are nearly identical.Â
However, treatment costs vary by country, with the cost of treatment in developed countries being higher. If you choose India, the cost will be half or less, with no sacrifice in quality.
You should choose a cancer hospital with a reputation for treating all types of cancer.
To treat all types of cancers and provide the highest level of care, a well-known cancer hospital is equipped with cutting-edge technology and employs the best and most experienced doctors, including medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists.
The hospital must have a successful track record with high survival rates.
The above criteria were used to create the MedicoExperts panel.
Choosing an oncologist is a big decision, and there are a few things a patient should think about before making a decision.
Consider using a multidisciplinary approach to achieve the highest success and survival rates. This means that each patient is counseled by different cancer specialists this is also known as the tumor board approach.
The tumor board consists of surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and well-trained oncology staff.
Many patients around the world got benefitted from this MedicoExperts tumor board approach.
One can easily find low-cost treatment for skin cancer in India along with quality services as compared to other western countries.
- The cost of Mohs surgery costs around $2500 – $3000(185930 – 223116 INR) in India.
- Cryosurgery costs around $3500 – $4000(260302 – 297488 INR) in India.
- Radiation therapy and Chemotherapy cost around $2500 – $3000 (185930 – 223116 INR)Â in India.
Squamous cell carcinoma treatment cost in India ranges between $4500 – $7000 (366420 – 569987 INR)
Melanoma treatment cost in India ranges between $3000 – $4500 (244280 – 366420 INR)
Get your personalized treatment plan by clicking the button below.Â
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. What are the most common treatments for skin cancer?
A. The most common treatments for skin cancer are surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, and topical treatments like cryotherapy. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy may also be used for advanced stages.
Q2. How do doctors decide on the best treatment for skin cancer?
A. Doctors determine the best treatment based on factors such as the type, size, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health and preferences.
Q3. Can skin cancer be treated without surgery?
A. Yes, certain types of skin cancer, especially in the early stages, can be treated without surgery through methods like radiation therapy, cryotherapy, or topical medications.
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Author Bio:
Dr. Yashashree Joshi – MBBS, MD (Philippines)
Dr. Yashashree Joshi, MD, is a globally-trained oncologist with a robust academic background and extensive experience in pioneering cancer treatments. Dedicated to patient-centered care, she continually integrates the latest advancements in oncology to provide her patients with innovative and personalized treatment plans.
Content Medically Reviewed By MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinically Review Board
