Skin cancer is a condition characterized by abnormal skin cell growth. It occurs most commonly on areas that are regularly exposed to the sun. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma are the three most common types of skin cancer. Some patients develop precancerous skin lesions called actinic keratoses. Treatment of these lesions is essential to prevent the development of skin cancer. In general, limiting exposure to ultraviolet, or UV, rays along with other treatment methods can minimize long-term damage from skin cancer.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a treatment method for skin cancer when abnormal cells grow close to or on the skin’s surface. A doctor performs a biopsy by removing the entire growth that contains cancerous cells. It may take some time for the physician to assess whether the biopsy removed all of the cancerous cells because some cancerous cells may have been in development during the procedure and emerge afterward. Therefore, a patient's physician will consistently monitor her condition to identify the recurrence of any cancer symptoms as soon as possible. Some forms of skin cancer occur beneath the surface of the skin. In these cases, a biopsy is not necessarily the best form of treatment.
Freezing or Cryosurgery
Freezing is a method of treatment specifically for acitinic keratoses. Also known as cryosurgery, this procedure involves the application of liquid nitrogen to the acitinic keratoses. Applying liquid nitrogen to the acitinic keratoses kills the affected cells. Once the skin thaws, the dead tissue sloughs off, removing the cancerous skills.
Excision
Excisional surgery, or surgical removal, is an appropriate form of treatment for all skin cancers, states the Mayo Clinic. The physician removes the skin cancer by cutting out cancerous tissue and some surrounding healthy tissue. Making a wide excision ensures that all cancerous tissue and cells are removed.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is another appropriate treatment for most forms of skin cancer as long as the skin growth or cancerous cells are close to the surface of the skin. Doctors perform laser therapy by applying a high-energy beam of light to the affected area. The damaged skin growths or tissue vaporize, ridding the patient of cancerous cells. Laser therapy is often a preferred method of treatment because it causes minimal bleeding, swelling or scarring.
