Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, and occurs in both men and women. The skin is formed by several types of cells, which means that there are different types of cancer depending on the type of cells that they are affecting.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cells are in the lower part of the epidermis (one of the skin layers) and are the responsible for the skin renewal. These cells are always dividing to replace the squamous cells that are being removed from the surface. As they move to the skin surface, they start to get flatter until they turn into squamous cells.

Basal cells carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer (8 out of 10 skin cancers). This type of cancer grows slowly and can develop on sun-exposed areas. Because it grows slowly it is considered a non-aggressive type of cancer and it’s not likely to spread easily. But, if left untreated it can start spreading to other places.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cells are the flat cells that are in the outer part of the epidermis. These are the cells that are constantly shedding when new cells are formed.

Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in these cells that are in the outer layer. It’s more likely to occur in sun-exposed areas, but it can also occur in non-exposed areas as well.

Treatment

For both types of skin cancer, the range of treatments is the same. They can include medications, surgery, radiation or even light therapy. Here are some examples of treatment:

• Medications

In the case of skin cancer, the medication can be topical (a cream that will be rubbed in the lesion area) or taken orally. Oral medication is usually used for more advanced cases.

• Radiation

This uses X-Rays to destroy a tumor, and the main advantage is that there is no need for anesthesia or cutting.  The cure rates using this technique are around 90%

• Cryosurgery

In this technique, the tumor is destroyed by freezing it with liquid nitrogen. The cure rates of this technique are not as high as other surgical ones, only 85-90% and this is why it is not as used anymore.

• Photodynamic Therapy (PTD)

This technique uses a topical acid which is light-sensitizing, and then the medicated area is activated by a strong blue light.  Technically this will only destroy the cancerous cells, with almost no damage to the surrounding areas. The cure rates are 70-90%.

• Excisional Surgery

This is the classical surgery, that uses a scalpel to remove the lesion along with a border of healthy tissue around it (for safety).

• Curettage and Electrodesiccation

This is used only for small lesions. The cell growth is scraped off with a curette and then the site is burned with an electrocautery needle. The procedure is painful, and it requires anesthesia. The cure rates are usually up to 95%.

• Mohs Micrographic Surgery

This technique uses both surgery and microscopy techniques at the same time. The physician removes a thin layer of tissue containing the tumor, and then the layer is analyzed under the microscope. This analysis allows the physician to map where the cancerous cells are, and repeat the procedure only where the cancer is. This way the healthy tissue is preserved and the cure rate is also high, around 99%.

• Laser Surgery

This uses a beam of light of a specific wavelength to destroy the cancerous cells.

In some cases, more than one technique may be used for a better cure rate. Talk to your doctor about your options.