Skin Cancer Treatment

Thanks to modern skin cancer treatments, many people can cure their skin cancer and preserve as much healthy skin in the area as possible. At Park City Dermatology in Park City and Heber City, Utah, board-certified dermatologists Karen Stolman, MD, and Jessica Collins, DO, use the latest skin cancer treatments to treat basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other common skin cancers. Call Park City Dermatology or book an appointment online for your next skin cancer screening today.

How can I know if I need skin cancer treatment?

Skin cancer treatment can address skin cancer at any stage, but treatments are most effective when skin cancer is still in earlier stages. Skin cancer screenings are important because they’re clinical skin exams that search for signs of skin cancer all over your body.

The next step is a biopsy if a skin cancer screening detects abnormal spots or lesions. For the biopsy, your dermatologist removes a small sample of the abnormal tissue for further examination by a pathologist. If the biopsy confirms the presence of skin cancer, your dermatologist then discusses skin cancer treatment options with you. 

Park City Dermatology also teaches you to self-examine your skin at home so you can report suspicious lesions or skin changes to your dermatologist. 

What are surgical skin cancer treatments?

Surgical skin cancer treatments remove the cancerous cells directly from your skin. There are several methods dermatologists use to remove cancerous cells, and they choose according to your skin cancer type, stage, and personal needs. 

Surgical excision is one of these methods. It involves removing the cancerous lesion and a small margin of healthy skin cells around its borders. Mohs surgery is similar but doesn’t require a margin of healthy tissue removal. Instead, it involves repeatedly removing layers of cells and examining them under a microscope until all the cancer in the area is gone. 

Other surgical options include cryosurgery (freezing off the cancer with liquid nitrogen) and curettage and electrodesiccation, which uses an electric needle. 

Which nonsurgical skin cancer treatments might I need?

Surgical treatments are sometimes all you need for early-stage skin cancer treatment, but personalized skin cancer care can also include nonsurgical treatments. These treatments focus on killing cancer cells locally or in other areas of your body. 

Your nonsurgical cancer treatments might include:

• Photodynamic therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Biological therapy

Nonsurgical cancer treatments aren’t exclusive to skin cancer, but they can be valuable additions to your treatment plan if the cancer has spread beyond your skin. 

To get a skin cancer screening and explore skin cancer treatments, call Park City Dermatology or request an appointment online today.