Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin cancer treatments vary depending on the type and stage of the cancer. Common treatments include surgery, such as excision or Mohs surgery, to remove cancerous cells. Additionally, cryotherapy freezes and destroys abnormal cells, while radiation therapy targets cancer with high-energy rays. For advanced cases, chemotherapy or targeted therapy may be necessary to attack cancer cells throughout the body. Immunotherapy boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. Photodynamic therapy involves a combination of light and photosensitizing drugs to destroy cancer cells. Early detection and treatment offer the best outcomes, often combined with lifestyle changes like sun protection to prevent recurrence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
Transparency and Education is Important When Exploring Skin Cancer Treatment.
This is a cancer affecting the skin which is the largest organ of the body.
There are different types of skin cancers – pearly lesions are typically Basal Cell Carcinoma, crusty lesions are typically Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and dark, irregular pigmented lesions can be Melanoma.
Some types can have a genetic element to them, however, patients with a large number of body moles could be more prone to skin cancer.
Skin Awareness, Sun Awareness, and looking at any changing skin lesion. Using the ABCDE method, ie. Asymmetry, Irregular Borders, Colour change, Diameter change, Evolving.
BCC’s grow locally, and skin cancers such as SCC and Melanoma have a potential to spread and can affect your overall health.
There are other excellent resources for this including Skincancer.org, and the National Institute of Health Website.
Skin biopsy can be done by a shave (shaving the tumour), incision (take a small sliver), punch (removal of a piece of core tissue – our favoured technique with a 3mm punch), or excision (removal of tumour with narrow margins).
A skin flap is a piece of tissue with its own blood supply, that is pulled to cover where the tumour was removed. This is planned and is pulled into where the excision took place, as this provides the best result.
A skin graft can be done as either a full or split thickness skin graft. It is less frequently done at Revere, however, depending on each client and their case, a skin graft may be necessary.
Stopping blood thinners as advised from Dr. Azad is key to avoid excess bleeding. Some patients require bridging to avoid creating a clot before surgery is undertaken safely. This will be discussed during your consultation appointment.
Conventional excisional surgery is done locally in Thunder Bay. If Radiation is required, a referral is sent to the Cancer Centre in Ontario (Thunder Bay). Some cases require a referral to the MOH’s surgery located in either Toronto or Winnipeg.
Surgical removal involves a freezing injection, sterile draping and removal. This is followed by reconstruction using some type of skin flap or skin grafting.
cars are permanent but will fade depending on excellent scar management.
This is a surface treatment for superficial lesions involving spraying an area with liquid nitrogen to create an intense freeze necrosis of cancer cells.
Typically, creams are not effective if the lesion is thick and feels like a button on the skin.
Sunscreen, Sun Awareness, Skin Care and Lumecca (Intense Pulsed Light Treatment) are all strategies for skin stabilization that will help long term.
At 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, using a combination of Vitamin E cream massage and silicone gel skin products will aid in providing the best results.
his depends and can vary from a few months to several years. Melanomas and recurrent skin cancer patients need long term follow ups.
Many require at least 4 weeks after surgery to ensure healing. Speaking with Dr. Azad during a postoperative consultation before launching into your next journey.
Radiation is an invisible light that is used to deal with difficult anatomy and diffuse tumours.
MOHs surgery is a specialized type of surgery done only in highly specialized centres. This technique is excellent but only offered to ill defined tumour areas.
Removing a tumour directly may sometimes not be the best approach. Getting pathology as a 2 step approach is safe and methodical. The 1st step is a punch biopsy and the 2nd step is removal based on the pathology to give one the best objectivity.
Traveling out of the country while undergoing treatment is hazardous. Any surgery should be followed by a local review for a few weeks prior to travel to avoid complications and to ensure adequate treatment.
Yes, this is a fully OHIP covered procedure.
Skin care, Skin Awareness, Sunscreen and Lumecca (IPL) is a skin stabilizer and creates a better skin matrix. Using appropriate skin care products with proper advice is also key.
The common precancerous condition is called actinic keratosis. This appears like a reddish, scaly, crusty skin patch. Some patients have this all over the face and other body areas.
Surface treatments like creams and liquid nitrogen are recommended. If the lesion feels thicker a biopsy should be done to detect invasive cancer.
Surgery is not appropriate as the lesions are widespread. Topical treatment is done 1st and focus is on the lesions which do not resolve.
Lumecca (IPL) and excellent skin care along with Sun Awareness (Sunscreen) will mitigate the problem in the future.
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