Skin cancer treatment

Skin cancer is the general name for a number of malignant neoplasms that develop from different layers of the epithelium. It is one of the most common types of cancer - the number of diagnosed cases increases by 5% annually.

The disease most often develops in men and women over 60 years of age. The first foci of the tumor appear mainly on exposed areas of the skin: on the nose, in the corners of the eyes, on the hands, feet, lower legs, armpits, upper back and torso.

The prognosis of the disease depends on its type and stage. Some forms of skin cancer detected at stages 1 and 2 are well treatable, which gives patients the opportunity to fully recover. With more aggressive forms of cancer, there is a risk of rapid development of oncology and the appearance of metastases.

At the Oxford Medical Medical Center, skin cancer treatment is carried out by highly qualified oncologists, oncological surgeons and other specialists with many years of experience. Thanks to this, as well as the availability of new expert-class diagnostic equipment and a high-tech surgical hospital, the clinic has created all the conditions for providing care to patients with skin cancer.

The cause of cancer is the mutation of skin cells, the probability of which increases in the presence of the following risk factors:

• genetic predisposition;
• fair skin;
• tendency to form a large number of moles;
• sunburn;
• prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
• regular visits to the solarium;
• frequent skin trauma in one area;
• decreased immunity;
• undergoing radiation therapy;
• contact with toxic substances.

Experts recommend that if there are several risk factors, you should pay attention to moles and other skin neoplasms, as well as undergo an annual examination by a dermatologist.

There are different types of skin cancer, and the approach to classifying them varies. For basal cell carcinoma, typical staging is rarely used because it rarely spreads to the lymphatic system or other organs.

For squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, the stage of the disease is sometimes determined according to the international TNM classification system, where T (tumor size) indicates the size of the tumor, N (nodes) indicates the involvement of lymph nodes, and M (metastasis) indicates the presence of metastases.

However, a more common system is to use a simplified system, according to which 5 stages of cancer are distinguished:

• Stage 0, or carcinoma in situ, means that the cancer cells are present only at the site of primary development and have not spread further;
• Stage 1 means that the size of the squamous cell carcinoma is less than 2 cm, and the thickness of the melanoma is less than 2 mm;
• Stage 2 means that the size of the squamous cell carcinoma is more than 2 cm, and it has penetrated deeper into the tissues of the epidermis, and the thickness of the melanoma does not exceed 4 mm;
• Stage 3 – the tumor increases in size, progresses rapidly, spreads to nearby lymph nodes, but there are no distant metastases;
• Stage 4 – the tumor affects deep tissues and has metastases.

Skin neoplasms are also classified by the depth of germination. They can affect:

• epidermis;
• upper parts of the papillary layer of the dermis;
• the entire papillary layer of the dermis;
• reticular dermis;
• subcutaneous fat.

No less important is the determination of the degree of differentiation of cells (G), which is responsible for their aggressiveness and tendency to rapid growth. Accordingly, they are distinguished:

• GX – the degree of malignancy of the tumor cannot be assessed;
• G1, highly differentiated tumor cells – their structure is slightly different from normal, which indicates a low probability of metastasis;
• G2, moderately differentiated tumor cells are significantly different from healthy ones;
• G3, poorly differentiated tumor cells – have only partial similarity to healthy cells;
• G4, undifferentiated tumor cells – the tumor behaves aggressively, develops rapidly and responds poorly to treatment.

In order to determine the type, stage and other features of skin cancer as accurately as possible, the patient first undergoes a thorough diagnosis. Detailed classification allows for the most effective treatment for each case.

With the appearance of a large number of moles, an increase in their size and other symptoms of skin cancer, you should consult a dermatologist. During the appointment, he will conduct an examination and dermatoscopy - a study of the features of the neoplasm through a special magnifying device. At the same time, the doctor will assess its size, structure, edges, color, etc. If one or more indicators indicate the malignant nature of the neoplasm, the dermatologist will prescribe a biopsy with histological analysis.

A biopsy is a sample of tumor tissue taken, which is sent to the laboratory for histological analysis. Specialists evaluate the structure of the cells and its compliance with the norm. Any deviation from it indicates the development of cancer.

If there is a likelihood of cancer spreading to other organs and to determine its stage, the patient may also be prescribed other examinations:

• digital dermatoscopy;
• ultrasound;
• x-ray;
• CT, PET-CT, MRI, etc.

An individual treatment program is drawn up for each patient with skin cancer. It depends on the type of malignant neoplasm, the degree of cell differentiation, the stage of cancer, the patient's age and other features.

When cancer is detected at an early stage, when there are no lymph node damage and distant metastases, more than 80-90% of patients recover completely. In this case, surgical treatment is sufficient for many.

It is carried out using:

• cryodestruction - removal of the tumor using chilled liquid nitrogen;
• laser destruction - removal of tissue with a laser;
• curettage and electrodissection - removal of the tumor with a curette followed by treatment of the wound edges with an electric current;
• excision - classic removal of tissue with a scalpel (used for larger neoplasms).

In more complex cases, the scope of the operation may be greater. After recovery, reconstructive or plastic surgery may be performed to eliminate the aesthetic defect.

If necessary, after surgical treatment, additional radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted and immune therapy are performed. They are also used for inoperable tumors.

Oxford Medical has a modern oncology department and a high-tech surgical hospital. The clinic has new expert-class equipment that allows for thorough diagnostics, as well as medical and surgical manipulations of any degree of complexity.

We employ some of the best oncologists and surgeons in Kyiv and Ukraine with many years of experience who possess all modern methods of treating skin cancer, including targeted and immunotherapy. By contacting Oxford Medical, you can be sure that you are in safe hands.

To make an appointment for a consultation, call our contact center or write to the chat on the website.