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Treatment:
Basal cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Non-melanoma skin cancer
Topical chemotherapy- Uses anticancer agents, like 5-fluorouracil (Efudex, Carac),
to treat cancerous cells. Only FDA-approved for superficial basal cell
carcinoma in specific circumstances.
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Topical immunomodulators - Creams that contain imiquimod (Aldara) have some success in
stimulating an immune response against tumor cells. Only FDA-approved
for superficial basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma
in situ in specific circumstances.
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Curettage and Electrodesiccation- Tumor cells are scraped away with a curette, a semi-sharp, scoop-shaped
instrument. The area is cauterized with an electric needle to control
bleeding and treat any remaining tumor cells. Only appropriate for superficial
or nodular basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma in situ in
specific circumstances.
Surgical Excision- Standard surgical excision cuts the cancer from the skin along with
a rim of the healthy tissue around it to ensure the entire tumor is
removed. Unless there are circumstances where Mohs
microgcrographic surgery are indicated, this is the most commonly used
method for excising skin cancer with 5-year cure rates of 90-95%.
Mohs micrographic
surgery
- Mohs micrographic surgery refers to a type of highly specialized
surgical technique for the removal of complex skin cancers.
- Mohs micrographic surgery has the highest five-year cure rates for
treatment of both primary (96%) and recurrent (90%) skin cancers.
- The purpose of this technique is to remove all of the cancerous tissue
and as little surrounding healthy tissue as possible. In addition, this
method is used to remove large tumors, those in hard-to-treat places,
and cancers that have recurred.
- The cancer is shaved off one thin layer at a time. Each layer is
examined under a microscope. This process is repeated until the entire
tumor is removed. This method should be used only by Mohs surgeons,
dermatologists who are specially trained in this type of surgery.
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Photodynamic therapy (PDT)- Combines a drug (called a photosensitizer) with a specific type of
light to treat cancer cells. Only appropriate for superficial skin cancers
in specific circumstances.
Resurfacing- A laser is used to remove or destroy cancer cells. Only appropriate
for superficial skin cancers in specific circumstances.
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