Surgical Extraction (removal)

Small growths on the surface of the skin and pre-cancerous actinic keratoses may only need a biopsy. This may remove the whole tumor and cure the problem.  A few stitches may be needed to close the wound.

Some normal tissue may be removed, if the tumor is larger or goes deeper than the skin surface. This is needed to make sure no cancer is left behind.

Mohs Surgery

The surgeon removes the tumor in small sections examining each section under a microscope in the operating room until all the cancer is gone. This limits the amount of tissue that must be taken out. Mohs surgery is for larger cancers or cancers that come back.

Lymph Node Surgery

The healthcare professional may wish to examine a lymph node (glands that are part of the immune system) to see whether any cancer cells have spread to the lymphatic system. This type of surgery happens in a hospital with anesthesia.

Reconstructive Surgery and Skin Grafts

If a large tumor is removed, a skin graft may be needed. Skin is taken from another area of the body to cover the missing tissue. Cosmetic surgery may be needed to reduce scarring and visual changes.

Freezing (Cryotherapy) and Laser Surgery

Liquid nitrogen can freeze and kill the surface layer of skin, removing actinic keratoses and small surface skin cancers. The frozen skin will heal, but may be sensitive for a few months. Scarring may happen.

For small surface cancers that aren’t generally risky, a laser may be the simplest way to burn off it off. This leaves little scarring or bleeding afterward.

Amputation

Sometimes a melanoma may be serious enough to remove part or all of a finger or toe.

Photodynamic Therapy

Special medications, which make skin cells sensitive to light, are used with lasers to destroy the surface layer of skin and remove skin cancers and actinic keratoses. A person may need to stay out of direct sunlight for several weeks after this treatment.

Chemotherapy

Anti-cancer chemicals may be applied directly to the skin. The creams and lotions can be irritating and may leave scars.

If a skin cancer has spread to other parts of the body (for example, melanoma), a chemotherapy drug to treat the whole body may be needed every few weeks.

Immunotherapy or Biological Therapy

Some medicines cause the immune system to kill cancer cells. They may make a person feel ill, like they have the flu. The medicines may be given along with other treatments for melanoma.

Radiation Therapy

When surgery is not a safe option for someone due to their specific circumstances, radiation may be necessary to treat skin cancers.

Radiation may happen in combination with other treatments.

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment

Monoclonal antibodies are able to target certain molecules in the body. This can stop the spread of cancers—especially melanoma. Or, the antibodies can increase the immune system’s response to cancer.