Overview
Treatment of skin cancer depends on the type and stage. Most cases are cured with surgery, but advanced melanomas may require systemic therapy.
Key Points
- Surgery is the main treatment for most skin cancers.
- Mohs surgery is highly effective for facial or recurrent cancers.
- Topical creams may be used for very superficial cancers.
- Radiotherapy can be an alternative when surgery isn’t feasible.
- Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are options for advanced melanoma.
Main Treatments
- Surgery: Excision, curettage, or Mohs surgery.
- Topical therapy: 5-FU or imiquimod creams for early lesions.
- Radiotherapy: External beam radiation for inoperable or recurrent tumors.
- Systemic therapy:
- Immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors)
- Targeted drugs (BRAF/MEK inhibitors for melanoma)
FAQ
Q: How is skin cancer treated?
A: Surgery is the most common treatment. Radiotherapy, topical creams, or systemic therapy may also be used depending on type and stage.
Q: What is Mohs surgery?
A: A precise surgical technique that removes skin cancer layer by layer, minimizing healthy tissue loss.
Q: What treatments are used for melanoma?
A: Surgery for early stages, immunotherapy and targeted drugs for advanced disease.
Q: When is radiotherapy used?
A: For patients who can’t have surgery or for advanced/recurrent cases.