Individuals seeking skin cancer treatment in Pinellas Park, Fl, are often frightened and confused. It is stressful when you don’t know what to expect and unsure of what your treatment may include. Understanding the different treatment options for an individual with skin cancer can help ease some of your worries.
Common Skin Cancer Treatments
One reason many people become frightened when they learn they have skin cancer is that they envision having the affected area cut off. They are concerned, rightfully so, of what the results will be, particularly if the affected area is on their face or another highly visible area.
Not all skin cancer treatments require surgery. There are topical medications available that work by stimulating the immune system. The immune system responds by producing interferon, which then attacks the cancer cells. There is also a chemotherapy drug that can be applied topically. Some people who receive this type of treatment experience no side effects, while others will have some irritation and redness.
The skin cancer can also be removed surgically. There are several different procedures for this. They are performed under local anesthesia and have varying results. EDC is a process where the tumor itself is scraped and then the edges cauterized. It is a quick and straightforward process but can leave significant scarring and cancer has a stronger risk of recurring than with other procedures.
Excision is a process where the tumor and healthy border tissue is removed. If the treated area is large, a skin graft may be used to minimize scarring. The recurrence rate is low, and the scarring is generally minimal.
There are other options for skin cancer treatment in Pinellas Park, FL. Talking with an experienced dermatologist allows you to produce the best treatment plan for your particular case. Contact Mahoney Dermatology at mahoneydermatology.com to schedule an appointment.
