Skin-cancer options aren't one-size-fits-all

There are a number of treatment options for skin cancer. The patient and doctor determine the best treatment, taking into account the size, type, depth and location of the lesions.
Excision: This is a surgical approach and is appropriate for some types of skin cancer. The doctor cuts out the cancer and 4 to 6 millimeters of surrounding tissue, depending on the cancer type. Cancer is successfully removed about 95 percent of the time.

Mohs surgery: The doctor removes the cancer layer by layer until all cancer cells are gone. During the surgery, each newly removed layer is examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells before proceeding. This exacting process avoids the removal of healthy tissue. The surgery was developed by Dr. Frederick Mohs at the University of Wisconsin in the 1930s and requires specialized training. The cure rate, as high as 99 percent for some forms of skin cancer, makes this an excellent treatment. This technique is most commonly used to treat skin cancer on the head and neck.

Cryotherapy: For precancers, liquid nitrogen is used to freeze precancer cells. The cure rate is 90 percent to 95 percent.

Laser therapy: A focused beam of light vaporizes cancer cells, with little damage to surrounding tissue. This is appropriate for superficial skin cancers only.

Curettage followed by electrodesiccation or cryotherapy (freezing): The doctor removes most of the growth and then scrapes cancer cells with a circular blade called a curet. Any remaining cancer cells are destroyed with an electric current or cryotherapy.

Photodynamic therapy: A substance that makes the skin sensitive to light is applied to the skin cancer and allowed to set for several hours. Then the area is exposed to a special type of red or blue light, which activates the sensitizing substance, destroying the cancerous cells. This is used for superficial types of skin cancer.

Radiation: Radiation can be used for inoperable skin cancers. Cure rates are acceptable when it is done by an experienced physician. However, radiation puts the patient at risk for future nonmelanoma skin cancers, so it should be used with caution. Some aggressive skin cancers treated surgically may also require radiation treatment for the best cure rate.
source:www.star-telegram.com