IMOR Institute has the latest radiotherapy treatments for cancer and other complementary or parallel treatments. Our medical specialists will be responsible for determining what skin cancer treatment to apply in each case and according to the situation and characteristics of each patient.
Here we want to discuss these treatment options that can be applied, as well as other issues related to side effects, possible symptoms of skin cancer and the situations in which it is better to apply the treatments aimed at destroying squamous cells, basal cells and melanomas depending on the type of cancer.
Treatment for skin cancer
The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (or basocellular carcinoma), squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. The first is the one that appears in the epidermis and is often discovered in areas such as the mouth, lips, ears … It does not usually spread and can be cured. The second one develops in the squamous cells and is found in the aforementioned areas as well as neck, arms, back … It is also curable in nearly all cases.
Malignant melanoma is an increasingly common cancer. Although it is the most dangerous of the above-mentioned subtype, it is very curable if it is discovered timely. If it metastasizes and affects the liver or lungs, it will be very difficult to cure. Depending on the type of cancer and its stage, if t is more or less advanced, we will opt for a treatment or a combination of several treatments. On the other hand, we can also treat other diseases such as the case of actinic keratosis.
Radiation therapy for skin cancer
It is based on focusing the radiation from outside to the skin tumor. It is usually done with a type of radiation called external beam radiation, which acts efficiently on the tumor without penetrating beyond the skin nor affecting healthy tissues of other areas to which the radiation is not applied as they are not at risk of being affected by cancer cells.
This is a very great advantage for both patients and medical specialists. It does not only allow greater efficiency and higher doses in less time, but many of the side effects are also avoided (spots similar to sunburn, hair loss in the radiation application area, some tiredness and, possibly, nausea and loss of appetite). It is painless treatment and the process is similar to that of an x-ray in the eye of the patient. It is applied in just a few minutes with more precision and efficiency per session.
Other skin cancer treatments that may be applied
Mohs surgery, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy,… In IMOR Institute, we can offer you an accurate diagnosis. Ask us about any sign that may make you suspect the appearance of melanoma.
Is it always possible to use radiotherapy for skin cancer?
It may be more or less advisable. For some type of specific melanoma, radiation is occasionally applied after skin cancer surgery. In addition, it is possible to apply surgery in the area of the lymph nodes if they have been removed due to cancer. In this way, possible risks of cancer recurrence and relapse are avoided. It is also possible to treat recurrent melanomas with radiotherapy applied either in the skin itself or in the lymph nodes after surgery, also helping in those cases in which an extra complement to the skin cancer treatment is required to prevent the spread of the disease.
In this regard, we also refer to the symptom relief, especially in cases in which a melanoma spreads to bones or brain. For these situations in patients with advanced stages of skin cancer, palliative therapy may be required to help reduce and control the size of the tumor for as long as possible.
Do you have suspected symptoms? Consult a specialist
What can be some of the signs that may suggest the presence of a melanoma or skin cancer cells? Some symptoms include:
– Bumps, sores, imperfections, strange marks, unusual change, mole of any shape or size (especially changes in moles)… All these factors could indicate the presence of melanomas. But it can also be due to other reasons or abnormalities.
– For the determination of whether a mole or spot can have cancer cells, the oncology professionals usually refer to the ABCDE rule to identify some of the skin cancer symptoms: Asymmetry; irregular of uneven Border; Color that is not uniform; Diameter greater than 6 mm; Evolution of size, shape or color. However, it may be a melanoma even if these rules are not met, or it may not be a melanoma even if these rules are met.
If a sore that cannot heal, a change in the surface of a mole or any sign makes you suspect that you may have melanoma, do not hesitate to contact the IMOR Institute. We will be happy to provide you with detailed information about our treatments.