Skin cancer treatment at cancer center Philadelphia - Health Care Info

If diagnosed early, almost all types of skin cancer can be treated effectively. There are different methods of treatments available for treating skin cancers. Doctors or oncologists at the specialized centers for cancer treatment Philadelphia will choose the most appropriate type of treatment based on certain factors such as the type of cancer, size, location and depth of lesions etc.

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and is the leading cause of death due to skin disease. It may appear as a mole on the skin and is caused by changes in melanocytes, cells responsible for producing a skin pigment called melanin. Moles present from birth may also develop into melanomas.

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is a slowly progressing, non-melanoma type of cancer. It is also one of the most common forms of cancer in the USA. Basal cell carcinoma develops on the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin and generally, does not cause any pain. This form of cancer used to be more common in people over the age of 40 but now, it is being recognized in younger individuals too.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is a non-melanoma type of skin cancer that mostly occurs in inflamed or injured skin. It can develop on normal skin too. Bowen?s disease is an early or intraepidermal form of squamous cell carcinoma. Actinic keratosis is a pre-cancerous condition characterized by thick, scaly patches of skin that may sometimes develop into cancer.

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With various options for cancer treatment at Philadelphia, most basal and squamous cell cancers can be removed from the skin easily and quickly. A biopsy may sometimes be the first and last step in treatment or the doctor may use topical chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination of different methods to treat basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

All treatments aim at destroying or removing the cancer completely, leaving only a minimum scar. The patient?s age, size and location of the cancer, medical history, general health, and the risk of scarring are key factors that doctors consider before devising a treatment plan.

The following methods are being used at the centers for cancer treatment Philadelphia to treat basal and squamous cell carcinomas:

Surgical ablation: The tumor is surgically removed and the skin is stitched up.

Curettage and desiccation: The tumor cells are scooped out using a special instrument called a curette. An electric current is then applied to the area to destroy the remaining cells and control bleeding.

Radiation therapy: Treatment that uses high energy radiation to shrink or kill the cancer cells.

Cryosurgery: The cancer cells are frozen and killed, usually with liquid nitrogen.

Chemotherapy: In this type of treatment, drugs are used to destroy the cancer cells.

Topical chemotherapy: A type of chemotherapy that involves the placement of drugs directly on the skin rather than being injected into a vein or administered through the mouth.

Microscopically controlled excision: Also called Mohs micrographic surgery, this treatment involves cutting and removal of the tumor layer by layer until no abnormal cells remain. ??

Use of therapeutic creams: Certain creams that attack cancer cells or stimulate the immune system are also used to treat skin cancers.

Photodynamic therapy: A treatment that uses light sensitive drugs to destroy the cancer cells.???????????

Melanomas mostly need surgical removal. If the cancer has spread to the surrounding lymph nodes, those nodes may also be removed. If the melanoma has spread to other organs, treatment can be more difficult.

Surgery: Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body is often surgically removed.

Chemotherapy: The cancer cells are destroyed using anticancer medicines.

Radiation therapy: Radiation treatments may be used to alleviate discomfort or pain caused by cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Immunotherapy: This type of treatment uses medications to help the immune system fight against cancer. It is generally used along with surgery and chemotherapy.

Cancer treatment Philadelphia focuses on using different techniques and treatments to help patients fight skin cancer on all fronts. An effective combination of traditional and new, innovative methods are provided by cancer experts who dedicatedly work with patients to determine the best treatment for them.?

Source: http://ushealthcarenews.posterous.com/skin-cancer-treatment-at-cancer-center-philad

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