Skin cancer is a form of cancer that occurs when the DNA in a patient’s skin cells begin to mutate. These mutated cells may then begin to multiply, leading to malignant tumors. Read on to find out about the three most common kinds of skin cancer and options for skin cancer treatment in Lehigh Valley PA.
Treatment for Basal Cell Carcinoma
Patients who have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma have both medical and surgical treatment options available to them. Those that have superficial carcinomas that don’t extend far into the skin often find that several weeks of topical treatments are sufficient to remove low-risk basal cell carcinomas, though some superficial carcinomas may require electrodesiccation or freezing with liquid nitrogen for removal. More serious cases of basal cell carcinoma may require surgical excision of the cancerous lesion and the surrounding skin or Mohs surgery, which involves the removal of the cancer cells one layer at a time and is often followed by radiation therapy or oral medications.
Treatment for Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Treatment options for squamous cell carcinoma also vary based on the severity of the disease and whether or not it has spread. Medicated creams and lotions, freezing, electrodesiccation, and laser therapy are all effective at treating small squamous cell carcinomas, though those that have developed deeper into the skin may require more advanced treatments such as curettage and cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, excision, Mohs surgery, or radiation.
Treatment for Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanomas are the most serious and aggressive kind of skin cancer, so treatment options vary significantly depending on the staging of the patient’s disease. Early-stage melanomas can often be resolved through a simple surgery to remove the affected skin cells and the tissue surrounding them; however, more advanced cases that have spread beyond the skin will require more aggressive treatment. This may involve everything from chemotherapy and radiation to lymph node removal surgery.
Get Help Now
Want to learn more about options for Skin Cancer Treatment in Lehigh Valley PA? The next step is to schedule an appointment with a specialist for a detailed diagnosis and discussion of treatment modalities. Click here to learn more about one local dermatologist’s office that can help today to get started.
