Skin Cancer
Diagnosis and Treatment
With
early detection and proper treatment, skin cancer is highly
curable. The average cure rate when detected and treated
in the early stages is 95%. Even melanoma, the most deadly
form of skin cancer, when limited to the outermost layers
of the skin yields a 95% cure rate.
How
Skin Cancer Diagnosed
A person’s ability to recognize the signs of skin cancer
and perform regular self-examinations are key to early detection.
Any time skin cancer is suspected, the lesion should be
examined by a dermatologist.
Dermatologists
detect skin cancer through a visual examination of the skin
and mucous membranes. If malignancy (cancer) is suspected,
a biopsy will be performed. This involves numbing the area
and removing the lesion, or part of it, for microscopic
examination. A biopsy is the only way to definitely tell
if skin cancer is present.
Since
a skin biopsy is generally a quick and simple procedure,
it is usually performed in a dermatologist’s office or outpatient
setting. The type of biopsy performed depends on the type
of skin cancer suspected, where on the body the tumor lies,
and the tumor’s size. The different types of biopsy procedures
used include:
*
Excisional biopsy – The entire tumor along with a margin
of tissue that is not a visible part of the tumor is removed.
An excisional biopsy is the preferred method for removing
lesions suspected to be melanoma.
*
Incisional biopsy – A portion of the lesion is removed during
an incisional biopsy, which is usually performed when the
lesion is large. A scalpel; a hollow, circular scalpel-like
instrument called a “punch” (punch biopsy); or a razor (shave
biopsy) is used to remove the sample.
The
removed sample is examined under a microscope to determine
if cancer cells are present and if so which kind. If an
excisional biopsy was performed, the physician examining
the sample also should be able to determine how deeply the
cancer has penetrated the skin.
Frequently,
the removed sample is sent to a laboratory to be examined
by a dermatopathologist, a medical doctor trained in both
dermatology and pathology, who uses this expertise to microscopically
examine tissue in order to diagnose skin conditions. Dermatopathologists
provide expertise in diagnosing difficult cases.
In
addition to removing the tumor or part of it, the dermatologist
also will ask the patient some questions, which usually
include when the lesion first appeared, symptoms, and the
patient’s history of sun exposure.
Treatment
Options
If the biopsy reveals skin cancer, your dermatologist will
discuss treatment options. Treatment for skin cancer varies
according to the type, location, extent, aggressiveness
of the cancer, and the patient's general health.
The
goals of treatment for skin cancer are to remove all of
the cancer, reduce the chance of recurrence, preserve healthy
skin tissue, and minimize scarring after surgery.
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The information on this page has been extracted from http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/diagnosis.html
