In the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and basal cell carcinoma, simple excision, curettage and electrodesiccation, Mohs micrographic surgery, and cryosurgery are used. The use of laser surgery is rare in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.
Actinic keratosis treatment involves the use of simple excision, curettage and desiccation, shave excision, laser surgery, and dermabrasion.
Suncoast Skin Solutions, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Christopher Ewanowski, provides proven and effective skin care treatments to patients in Tampa, Brandon, Lutz, Seminole, Riverview, Brookesville, Winter Haven, Daytona Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, The Villages Central Florida, Florida, and surrounding communities.
Other Skin Cancer Treatments
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a treatment for cancer that makes use of high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to destroy cancer cells or prevent them from growing.
Radiation therapy has two forms:
- External Radiation Therapy: In this type of radiation therapy, a machine outside the body sends radiation towards cancer.
- Internal Radiation Therapy: This radiation therapy involves the placement of a radioactive material sealed in seeds, needles, catheters, or wires directly into or in the vicinity of the cancer.
The choice of the radiation therapy technique depends on the type of cancer that is under treatment. The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and basal cell carcinoma involves the use of external radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy
The use of chemotherapy in skin cancer treatment involves the use of medications to prevent cancer cell growth. These drugs either kill the cancer cells or stop them from dividing.
The medication enters the bloodstream and reaches cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy) when chemotherapy is administered via injection into a vein or muscle, or by mouth.
Upon placing chemotherapy directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, a body cavity such as the abdomen, or an organ, the medication primarily impacts the cancer cells in those sites (regional chemotherapy).
Chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, basal cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis is typically applied to the skin as a cream or lotion (topical). The administering of the chemotherapy depends on the disease under treatment. Basal cell carcinoma is treated using topical fluorouracil (5-FU).
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used to treat cancer through a drug and a specific laser light to destroy cancer cells. This drug is injected into a vein or applied on the skin. This drug remains inactive until it is exposed to light as well as accumulates more in cancer cells relative to healthy cells.
In the case of skin cancer, the laser light is focused on the skin, and the drug activates and destructs the cancer cells. This dermatology treatment causes minimal damage to normal tissue.
Immunotherapy
In immunotherapy, the patient’s immune system is engaged to battle cancer. Bodily substances or those produced in a lab are used to enhance, direct, or restore the natural defenses of the body against cancer. This form of cancer treatment is also known as biologic therapy or biotherapy.
Interferon and Imiquimod are drugs used to treat skin cancer in immunotherapy. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is treated by injecting Interferon. Topical imiquimod therapy which involves the application of a cream to the skin can be used in the treatment of certain basal cell carcinomas.
Chemical Peel
A chemical peel treatment is used to improve the appearance of specific skin conditions. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin to dissolve the uppermost layer of skin cells. This treatment may be used to address actinic keratosis. This treatment type is also known as chemexfoliation or chemabrasion.
Dr. Ewanowski’s skin care clinic is equipped to provide advanced medical and aesthetic skin care solutions to patients in Tampa, Brandon, Lutz, Seminole, Riverview, Brookesville, Winter Haven, Daytona Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, The Villages Central Florida, Florida, and nearby areas.
SunCoast Skin Solutions Dermatology offices are located in Tampa / Hillsborough, St. Petersburg / Pinellas County, Brandon, Lutz (2 locations), Winter Haven, Largo, Riverview, Brooksville, Ocala, Largo at Bardmoor, Daytona Beach, Sarasota, and Palm Harbor, Florida. Contact us at 1-844-786-3376 or click here.
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