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Exploring Skin Cancer Treatment Solutions: A Possibility?

Is there a remedy for skin cancer?

"Examining the potential remedies for Skin Cancer"
"Examining the potential remedies for Skin Cancer"

Exploring Skin Cancer Treatment Solutions: A Possibility?

Skin cancer is a common health issue, with two primary types - basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) - being the most prevalent in the United States. Melanoma, while accounting for just 1% of skin cancers, is responsible for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths.

For early-stage melanoma, surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment. Two primary surgical methods are widely used: Wide Local Excision (WLE) and Mohs Micrographic Surgery. WLE involves the surgical removal of the melanoma along with a margin of surrounding healthy skin to ensure complete removal. Mohs surgery, on the other hand, is a precise technique that removes the tumor layer by layer, immediately examining the tissue margins to preserve healthy tissue and confirm clear margins. It is especially preferred for melanomas in sensitive areas like the face, hands, feet, and offers a high cure rate up to 99% for suitable cases.

In comparison, treatment options for BCC and SCC include Mohs surgery, excisional surgery, electrodesiccation and curettage, and topical therapies. Mohs surgery, with its high cure rates and tissue preservation, is particularly useful in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas. Excisional surgery is a standard surgical removal with margins, similar to WLE for melanoma but adjusted for the tumor type and size. Electrodesiccation and curettage, a common method for BCC and SCC, involves scraping and cauterizing but is generally not suitable for advanced tumors or sensitive locations. Topical therapies are sometimes used for superficial BCC or SCC but not for melanoma.

Other treatment options, relevant mainly for melanoma and to varying extents for advanced skin cancers, include immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Immunotherapy, which involves taking medications that specifically target cancer cells and aid the body's immune system in attacking cancer cells, is a revolutionary systemic option mainly for advanced melanoma. Targeted therapy, which focuses on specific genetic mutations within melanoma cells, offering personalized treatment, is particularly for metastatic or unresectable melanomas with identifiable mutations. Radiation therapy is sometimes used in melanoma when surgery is not feasible or for post-surgical adjuvant therapy; it is also used in some advanced BCC and SCC cases. Chemotherapy, while less common now for melanoma, is used mainly in advanced or metastatic cases.

In cases where surgery has not been successful in treating skin cancer, or if the cancer has spread to other areas, other treatment methods may be considered to reduce pain and prolong a person's life. For example, targeted therapy with drugs like vismodegib (Erivedge) or sonidegib (Odomzo) may be used for BCC that has spread to other body parts. If melanoma has spread to lymph nodes, affected nodes are removed. Radiation therapy may be used for those who cannot undergo surgery or to eliminate any cancer cells that remain after surgery.

It's important to note that the choice of treatment depends on the type of skin cancer, stage, location, and molecular profile. Therefore, a tailored approach is crucial in managing these conditions.

References: 1. Skin Cancer Foundation 2. American Cancer Society 3. American Academy of Dermatology 4. American College of Mohs Surgery 5. National Cancer Institute

  1. Science has made significant advancements in the management of skin-care related medical conditions, such as melanoma, which remains a concern in health-and-wellness due to its association with a majority of skin cancer-related deaths.
  2. In the case of early-stage melanoma, science offers precise surgery methods like Wide Local Excision (WLE) and Mohs Micrographic Surgery, each with its unique benefits, to ensure complete removal while preserving healthy tissue.
  3. For those experiencing metastatic melanoma, science offers a range of treatment options, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy, which focus on specific genetic mutations within melanoma cells, offering personalized treatment strategies.

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