Understanding Your Options: Skin Cancer Treatment Paths

Being diagnosed with skin cancer can be overwhelming—but the good news is that skin cancer is often highly treatable, especially when caught early. There are several effective treatment options, and the best approach depends on the type, location, and stage of your cancer, as well as your overall health.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common treatment options available:

Surgical Treatments

Surgery is often the first-line treatment for many skin cancers, especially basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.

• Excisional Surgery: The cancerous lesion and some surrounding healthy tissue are removed.
• Mohs Surgery: A precise technique often used on delicate areas like the face. Layers of skin are removed and examined under a microscope one at a time until no cancer cells remain. This preserves as much healthy tissue as possible.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a highly effective, non-invasive option—especially for patients who cannot undergo surgery or for tumors in sensitive areas.

How it works:
High-energy rays target and destroy cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. Treatments are typically quick, painless, and delivered in a series of outpatient visits.

Radiation may be recommended for:

• Cancers in areas where surgery may cause cosmetic or functional concerns (e.g., nose, eyelid, ear)
• Patients who are not good surgical candidates due to age or other health conditions
• Recurrent skin cancers or those with deeper tissue involvement

Benefits:

• No incision or scarring
• Preserves appearance and function in delicate areas
• Highly effective with excellent long-term control

Topical Treatments

For very early or superficial skin cancers:

• Prescription creams like may be applied directly to the skin to destroy cancer cells.
• Best suited for small, low-risk cancers on the surface of the skin.

Systemic Treatments

For advanced skin cancers, particularly melanoma, systemic treatments like immunotherapy or targeted therapy may be used to help the immune system attack cancer cells throughout the body.

A Personalized Approach

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. At your consultation, your provider will review your specific diagnosis, medical history, and preferences to design a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Whether your care involves surgery, radiation, or a combination of treatments, early detection and prompt action are the most powerful tools for successful outcomes.