Skin cancer is similar to other cancers simply because of its cause--the growth of abnormal cells. While it most frequently occurs on skin exposed to the sun, it may develop on various areas of your body the sun cannot reach. Treatment varies, and depends on the location, size and types of the cancerous lesions, otherwise known as abnormal changes in the skin.
Freezing
Medically known as cryosurgery, this procedure freezes both precancerous cells and small areas of cancerous lesions using liquid nitrogen, which freezes them, explains the Mayo Clinic. As the skin warms and thaws, the dead tissue falls off. In some cases, this procedure leaves a white scar. Depending on the severity of the cancer, the patient may need to have the process done again for the lesion growth to be completely removed.
Excisional Surgery
Surgery is the oldest form of cancer treatment, according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. It also helps when diagnosing and determining the severity of cancer.
Excisional surgery is acceptable for any type of skin cancer, and involves removing not only the cancer, but a small portion of healthy tissue around it. Skin reconstruction is sometimes needed for some patients, especially in cases when the skin cancer being removed is located on the face--this helps reduce scarring.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is ideal for patients with precancerous cells on the lips, or superficial skin cancers which are cancers on the outer layer of skin. Using narrow, intense beams of light, the doctor removes the growth layer by layer, examining them under a microscope as he proceeds until all abnormal cells are gone.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves drugs to destroy cancerous cells. Some of these drugs are taken orally, while others come in the form of topical creams. For patients whose skin cancer is limited to the top layer of skin, a topical cream containing an anti-cancer agent that is applied directly to the cancerous area can be used. If the cancer has spread through the body, oral drugs are necessary to destroy the cells, also known as systemic chemotherapy.
