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Main > Specialty Areas > Oncology >
Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin cancer is 100 percent curable if detected in early stage. Left unteated, it spreads and makes the condition worse. Treatment for skin cancer is determined based on following aspects:
Age of the patient
Health condition of the patient
Extent of the disease
Patient's tolerance for specific medicines or therapies.
There are several kinds of treatments for skin cancer, including the following:
Surgery
Surgery is a effective treatment for skin cancer used in most of the cases. Different types of surgeries are:
Electrodesiccation and Curettage Surgical "burning-out" of the affected area and removing it with a sharp instrument.
Cryosurgery killing the cancer cells by freezing the tumor using liquid nitrogen/helium.
Skin Grafting - using a skin graft to replace skin that is damaged when cancer is removed.
Laser Therapy - using a narrow beam of light to remove cancer cells.
Micrographic Surgery - Removing the lesion and minimum tissue as possible. In this surgery doctors use microscope to look at the cancerous area for cancer cells and removes them.
Radiation Therapy
In Radiation therapy, the radiation machine uses x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment with chemical drugs designed to kill cancer cells. In topical chemotherapy, a cream or lotion is applied to the skin to kill cancer cells. In systemic chemotherapy, a pill is taken or a drug is injected into a vein or muscle.
Electrochemotherapy
Electrochemotherapy is combination of chemotherapy and electrical pulses to treat skin cancer.
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| Random Useful Tip: |
Epinephrine shot If you are known to have a severe anaphylactic reaction, carry an epinephrine (adrenaline) shot with you at all times. Pay attention to expiration date and replace it regularly: upon expiration, it loses its effectiveness. |
| Random Drug Info: |
Acyclovir Acyclovir is a medication that is used to treat herpes infections of the skin, lips and genitals, chicken pox and shingles. It comes in the form of ointments, tablets, capsules or liquids. It relieves pain and itchiness and promotes healing; however, it does not cure the condition. Possible (but not common) side effects include headaches, upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Severe side effects, such as severe rash or itching, blood in the urine, stomach pain or fever are even less common, but require prompt medical attention. |
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