Cancer develops when normal cells transform, grow, and multiply abnormally. Skin cancer is considered asone of the most common types of cancer. Ifan individual knows what to look for, the warning signs of skincancercan be detected early. Detecting skin cancer in its initial stage before it spreadsmakes the treatment easier.
What Is Melanoma?
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that develops when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) start mutating and become malignant. They are developed in the basal layer of the epidermis. The ‘ABCDE rule’can be used to detect skin cancer.
- Asymmetry: One part of a birthmark or mole doesnot match the other
- Border: The edges are blurred, irregular, ragged, or notched
- Colour: The colour is not similar all over and may consist shades of black or brown, sometimes with patches of red, blue, pink, or white
- Diameter: The spot is larger than ¼ inch across
- Evolving: The mole is changing in colour, shape, or size
Skin Cancer Treatment
The treatment options available for skin cancer are as follows:
- Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is used to treat pre-cancerous growths and superficial skin cancers on the lips. During the procedure, a precise and intense beam of light is projectedon the growth, which destroys the cancer cells. It involves minimal damage to any surrounding tissue. Also, there isless swelling, bleeding, and scarring involved in this procedure.
- Radiotherapy
It involves the use of high-energy X-rays to minimise or destroy the cancer cells. It is used in parts where surgery might be hardto perform or may lead to scarring. Some of these body parts include eyelids, lips, nose, or ears. It also works great for tumours that have growndeep into the skin.
- Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to cure, control and kill cancer cells. However, it is not commonly used for skin cancer. In few skin cancer cases, this procedure is applied when cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
- Biological therapy
It uses drugs that help the body in controlling the growth of cancer while changing the way the cells function. It is usually implied as a treatment for advanced (stage 4) melanoma skin cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
- Topical treatments
Some drugs like Aldara, Tazarotene, Solaraze and Efudixcan improve sun-damaged skinand superficial skin cancers by direct application on the skin.
- Photodynamic therapy
Photodynamic therapy uses a beam of visible light along with a light-sensitive drug to kill the cancer cells. It is beneficial for treating superficial skin cancers, Bowen’s disease, superficial basal cell cancers and solar keratoses.
Side Effects of Skin Cancer Treatment
The side-effects depend on the type of treatment, duration, dose and general health of the patient. Surgery may lead to scarring in the affected area. Depending on how much skin is removed, a skin graft or skin flapmaybe required.Treatments like chemotherapy may often lead to symptoms like vomiting, nausea, hair loss,fatigue, diarrhoea, or loss of appetite. Doctors at any of the best cancer hospital in India will inform the patient about side-effects before starting the treatment.
Consulting a good cancer specialist in Shalimar Baghcan ensure an effective skin cancer treatment. There is no dearth of good cancer specialist hospitals in India. One of the best cancer hospitals in Shalimar Bagh, Max Healthcare, has some of the best facilities for cancer care.
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