Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and is typically divided into melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The incidence of NMSC and melanoma has been steadily increasing worldwide. The South African population is at a particularly high risk of skin cancer due to the country’s geographical position and level of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) as well as the increased sun exposure due to occupational and recreational activities. Skin cancer screening is vital in the early diagnosis of skin cancer. Read more about skin cancer treatment.
Non-melanoma skin cancer
The 2 most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer are called “basal cell carcinoma” and “squamous cell carcinoma.” Most forms of non-melanoma skin cancer can be easily treated because they grow slowly. But if not treated, some non-melanoma skin cancers can become large or spread inside the body and may even be fatal.
How is skin cancer diagnosed?
How is skin cancer diagnosed?
If you are concerned about skin cancer you should see your dermatologist. Dermatologists are specialists of the skin and are trained to screen and identify skin cancers early.
Your dermatologist will do a full body skin examination and may also use dermoscopy. Dermoscopy is a specialised devise that look at the skin at a microscopic level and allows for dermatologist to identify changes within skin lesions before they become obvious to the naked eye.
Dermatologists can also do mole mapping allowing for documentation of your existing moles and to identify any new moles. Dr. de Wet uses the latest in mole mapping and dermoscopy technology. The Fotofinder medicam is the gold standard in digital dermoscopy. If skin cancer is suspected your dermatologist may recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Read more about screening and surveying the skin for signs of skin cancer.
Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCCS)
When detected early, most BCCs can be treated and cured. Prompt treatment is vital, because as the tumor grows, it becomes more dangerous and potentially disfiguring, requiring more extensive treatment.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a small or early BCC, a number of effective treatments can usually be performed on an outpatient basis, using a local anesthetic with minimal pain. Afterwards, most wounds can heal naturally, leaving minimal scarring.
Options include:
Mohs surgery
Excisional surgery
Curettage and electrodesiccation (electrosurgery)
Radiation therapy
Photodynamic therapy
Cryosurgery
Topical medications
Oral medications for advanced BCC
Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCCS)
SCCs of the skin can be cured when found and treated early. Treatment should happen as soon as possible after diagnosis, since more advanced SCCs of the skin are more difficult to treat and can become dangerous, spreading to local lymph nodes, distant tissues and organs.
If you’ve been diagnosed with an SCC, there are several effective treatments that can usually be performed on an outpatient basis. The choices available to you depend on the tumor type, size, location and depth, as well as your age and overall health.
Options include:
Mohs surgery
Excisional surgery
Cryosurgery
Curettage and electrodesiccation (electrosurgery)
Radiation
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
Topical medications
Ask your dermatologist to clearly explain the options that might work best for you, including details about the risks and benefits.
Melanoma
While melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, when diagnosed and treating at an early stage the prognosis is very favourable. Promising new treatment options are also available for more advanced cancers, improving quality of life and increasing survival rates for patients with advanced melanoma. If you’ve been diagnosed, your treatment choices depend on the stage of the disease, the location of the tumor and your overall health.
Options include:
Surgical removal of the melanoma (with or without complete margin control)
Immunotherapy
Targeted therapy
Chemotherapy
Radiation
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma can occur anywhere on the skin, including the back and other hard-to-see areas. It can also occur on the skin lining the mouth, nose, and genitals. When it is not treated, melanoma can spread to organs inside the body. Melanoma often looks like a brown or black mole or birthmark.
