Skin cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic, is the abnormal growth of skin cells. Treatment depends on the type of skin cancer, how deep it is and how widespread the cancer is in the body. Multiple small superficial skin cancers might be able to be surgically treated individually, whereas skin cancer that has spread to numerous distant parts of the body might require systemic treatment such as chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
The National Cancer Institute describes chemotherapy as a treatment that is used to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally or intravenously and travel throughout the bloodstream and reach abnormal cells that might be far from the original cancer. For melanoma, chemotherapy drugs can include dacarbazine, cisplatin, temozolomide, paclitaxel and vinblastime. Chemotherapy might also be used in cases of squamous cell skin cancer, says the American Cancer Society. Side effects of chemotherapy can include hair loss, nausea and vomiting, lowered blood cell counts, loss of appetite, fatigue and mouth sores; these typically go away once treatment is over.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, also called biologic therapy, uses drugs to repair, enhance or work with an individual's own immune system to help fight cancer, says Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Drugs such as interferon and interleukin, or colony stimulating factors help to boost natural immune cells like NK, or natural killer, cells and macrophages; alter growth patterns of cancer cells to resemble that of healthy cells; and help prevent cancer cells from spreading to other areas, according to Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Interferon and interleukin are drugs known as cytokines, and side effects can include fever, chills, body aches, severe tiredness, fatigue and low blood cell counts, states the American Cancer Society.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, also known as cryosurgery, uses extremely cold liquid nitrogen or argon gas to freeze cancerous tissue, according to the National Cancer Institute. It might be applied to the skin using a cotton swab or spraying device on external abnormal cells; for internal abnormal cells, the nitrogen or gas is administered through a cryoprobe that is placed near the tumor. This treatment is typically used for early stage skin cancers that might be on one or more parts of the skin, or even precancerous skin changes, says the National Cancer Institute. Side effects when used to treat skin cancer depend on the area being treated, but can include scarring or swelling, and if nerve tissue is affected, loss of sensation can occur.
Curretage and Electrodessication
One surgical procedure, called curretage and electrodessication, is typically used to treat small basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, according to skincarephysicians.com. This procedure scrapes the tumor using a curette and uses an electric needle to cauterize the area where any cancer cells might be remaining, as well as a surrounding margin of healthy skin. It is usually repeated up to three times to ensure treatment is effective. This might be a good option if the multiple areas of skin cancer are small and not widespread.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Skin Cancer Treatment: Treatment Option Overview
- American Cancer Society: Melanoma: Chemotherapy
- American Cancer Society: Treating Squamous cell carcinoma
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Biotherapy/Immunotherapy for Skin Cancer
- National Cancer Institute: Cryosurgery in Cancer Treatment
