TREATMENT OF SKIN CANCER AND MELANOMA
SURGICAL TREATMENT
Treatment of skin cancer usually begins with its surgical removal. The difficulty of skin cancer surgery will depend on the type of tumour, its size and its location. In many cases, the intervention can be performed on an outpatient basis, without the need to be admitted to the hospital. However, sometimes it will be necessary to locate and biopsy or intervene the nodes, in these cases it will be necessary to perform surgery under general anaesthesia. The goal of surgery for skin cancer or melanoma is, in all cases, to eradicate the tumour from the skin, eliminating all possible remains.
NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy for skin cancer or melanoma works in the same way as for other types of tumours. Through the application of high-energy X-rays, tumour cells are destroyed. It is used both in the tumour and in the affected lymph nodes.
Cryotherapy
Another treatment option for skin cancer is cryotherapy. Before small and superficial skin tumours, through the use of cold, they are frozen and eliminated.
Imiquimod
In some cases of skin cancer, a treatment based on topical preparations can be used.
Photodynamic therapy
As in the case of cryotherapy, another treatment option for superficial skin tumours is photodynamic therapy. With this technique, cancer cells can be selectively burned.
Immunotherapy
In cases of skin cancer or advanced melanoma, which has distant metastases and cannot be treated surgically, immunotherapy may be a treatment option. It uses drugs and/or vaccines that activate the defences against the tumour.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can be especially effective for treating some types of skin tumours. In the case of Melanoma in stages I to IV, surgery can be complemented with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or biological therapy.