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Skin Cancer Treatments

Skin Cancer is the Most Common Form of Cancer

Targeted interventions including avoiding excessive sun exposure, liberally applying sunscreen before sun exposure, and supporting skin health with scientifically studied nutrients like B-vitamins, Polypodium leucotomos, and red orange complex can protect skin from UV damage.
Causes and Risk Factors

Exposure to sunlight/UV light is a primary risk factor for all skin cancers.  All skin cancers are more common in men and with advancing age.  Numerous freckles and/or moles can increase risk of skin cancer.

skin cancer

Signs and Symptoms

  • Basal cell carcinoma, most of which occur on the head or neck
  • Nodular: pearly pink or white, dome-shaped lesion
  • Superficial: scaly plaques with raised, pearly white borders
  • Micronodular and infiltrative: like nodular subtype but more malignant
  • Morpheaform: firm, yellowish, ill-defined mass
  • Squamous cell carcinoma, found on backs of hands and forearms and the head and neck
    Firm, smooth or scaly raised lesion, often ulcerated

The “ABCDE guide” is often used to describe melanoma characteristics

  • Asymmetrical shape
  • Borders that are irregular
  • Color that is not the same all over
  • Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
  • Evolving in shape, size or color

Diagnosis

Skin cancers are diagnosed based on physical exam, patient history, and a variety of diagnostic techniques, including biopsy of skin and lymph nodes, dermoscopy, and imaging tests if the cancer has spread.

Conventional Treatment

Treatments for non-melanoma skin cancers include Mohs microsurgery (which presents the best cure rates, lowest recurrence rates, and leaves the smallest surgical wounds), electrodessication and curettage, cryosurgery, and radiotherapy.

Our mission at The Central Florida Cancer Institute is to enhance quality of life, facilitate adaptation, and improve health outcomes through evidence-based care.

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