Skin cancer is the abnormal proliferation of skin cells. It is most commonly found on sun-exposed skin but can also develop in areas not exposed to the sun. If you check your skin for abnormal changes, you can detect skin cancer early. Suppose you fall victim to such changes, Elite Dermatology specialists will respond to your questions and make therapy recommendations based on your specific diagnosis for skin cancer in Kingwood. These help to protect your skin and live a cancer-free life
Treatment
Actinic keratoses are skin lesions that can raise your chance of acquiring skin cancer. Rough, scaly areas are typical of these precancerous skin growths. They are most common on the face, head, and hands if you have a fair complexion and if your skin is harmed by the sun. However, skin cancer and precancerous skin lesions have different treatment options depending on the lesions’ size, nature, depth, and location. Small skin cancers that are only visible on the surface of your skin may not require treatment other than a skin biopsy to remove the entire tumor. The treatment options therefore include:
Radiation therapy
After surgery, radiation therapy may eliminate any leftover cancer cells with removed lymph nodes in the area. It may also be used to lessen the size of metastases and improve symptoms if cancer returns, especially if it has progressed to the brain or bones. The different types of Radiation Therapy include:
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT): EBRT is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-dose radiation to kill malignant cells and shrink tumors. You can have it in the comfort of your own home. There is no risk of radiation exposure for you or anybody else you come into contact with at home.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): If you’ve received radiation therapy for skin cancer before and have recurrent tumors in the treated area, IMRT helps protect you from more of the surrounding healthy skin tissue from dangerous radiation dosages.
Targeted therapy: Helps to identify certain properties in cancer cells, such as gene mutations or proteins, and then targets them.
Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system recognize and target cancer cells and helps modulate immune function.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Creams or lotions containing anti-cancer medicines can be administered directly to your skin for malignancies localized to the top layer of the skin. Skin malignancies that have spread to other body parts can be treated with systemic chemotherapy.
Cryotherapy
After removing the majority of a tumor, your doctor uses a circular blade to scrape away layers of cancer cells (curet). Any residual cancer cells are destroyed with an electric needle. Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze the base and borders of the treated region in a version of this process.
Surgical excision
Your doctor excises the malignant tissue as well as a healthy skin margin around it.
Photodynamic therapy
This treatment uses a mix of laser light and medicines to kill skin cancer cells by making them sensitive to light.
A dermatologist may treat most skin cancer. However, it is very important to consult a team of specialists at Elite Dermatology in Kingwood, Texas to get individualized diagnosis and treatment for your specific type of skin cancer. Restore your soft and attractive skin once again.
