Skin cancer is a condition wherein cancerous cells begin to develop within the skin tissues. Age, gender, exposure to sunlight, radiation, immune suppression, skin tone, moles, genetics, and other lifestyle factors are all included under risk factors for skin cancer.

There are three main types of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Actinic keratosis

Based on the risk factors and type of skin cancer, treatment options are figured out. Standard treatment options used for skin cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemical peel, and photodynamic therapy. This article mentions some surgical procedures that are used in treating skin cancer:

• Simple excision

The tumor and the normal tissue encircling it is removed from the skin.

• Mohs micrographic surgery

The tumor is removed in thin layers from the skin until no more cancerous cells are noticed when checked under microscope. This surgery removes very minimal normal tissue.

• Shave excision

Shaving of abnormal region of the skin using a blade.

• Curettage and electrodessication

A curette removes the tumor, and an electro surgery is performed on the area to destroy the remaining cells around the edge.

• Cryosurgery

This freezes and destroys the abnormal tissue with the help of an instrument.

• Laser surgery

Here, laser beams are used for a cut without any blood to eradicate surface lesion.

• Dermabrasion

This method eradicates the skin’s top layer using a wheel to rub off the skin cells.

Mentioned below are the types of treatment for each type of skin cancer:

1. Basal cell carcinoma
Localized treatment for basal cell carcinoma treatment includes simple excision, radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, Mohs micrographic surgery, curettage and electrodessication, topical chemotherapy, laser surgery, and topical immunotherapy.

Treatment options for basal cell carcinoma that is cancerous but can’t be treated with local therapy includes the following:

• Targeted therapy, which utilizes a signal transduction inhibitor like vismodegib or sonidegib
• A clinical trial of a new method of treatment

Treatment options for recurrent basal cell carcinoma that’s not cancerous include Mohs micrographic surgery and simple excision.

2. Actinic Keratosis
It is important to note that actinic keratosis is not a cancer but a skin condition. Its treatment options include:

• Topical chemotherapy
• Simple excision
• Other drug therapy (diclofenac or ingenol)
• Topical immunotherapy
• Chemical peel
• Shave excision
• Curettage and electrodessication
• Photodynamic therapy
• Dermabrasion
• Laser surgery

Other types of treatments for skin cancer include clinical trials. But it should be kept in mind that treatment depends on the type of skin cancer and symptoms experienced. It is important to consult with your doctor before opting for any type of treatment for skin cancer.