Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer; the three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Skin cancer incidences gradually increased in the last decades, presenting a significant threat to the population’s well-being (Cameron et al., 2019). Skin cancer is characterized by an uncontrollable growth of skin cells, during which they could spread to other human body parts and cause damage. According to Cameron et al. (2019), a higher percentage of risk of developing skin cancer (20% to 30%) is associated with the white population. The review conducted by Kim et al. (2019) suggests that skin cancer prognosis could be connected with light eye color and freckles combined with red or blonde hair color. Family history of skin cancer and continuous exposure to direct sunlight, photosensitizing drugs, or carcinogenic chemicals also contribute to skin cancer development. Millions of people are diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer in a span of one year, and mortality rates are estimated at 0.12 per 100,000 cases (Kim et al., 2019). In general, the main risk of developing skin cancer is UV radiation and exposure to sunlight.
Dermatologists or physician assistants could diagnose skin cancer through biopsy, which allows fast and accurate results. Depending on the size and shape of the tumor, the diagnosis could be performed either through a punch biopsy or a shave biopsy, designed for larger areas of skin. Moreover, shave biopsy allows a more accurate result due to the decreased chance of sampling error (Cameron et al., 2019). Non-invasive options for skin cancer diagnosis include optical methods, such as coherence tomography and reflectance confocal microscopy (Cameron et al., 2019). Both methods operate based on infrared light projection and could also be used to provide an accurate result.
Treatment of skin cancer is primarily focused on the local excision of tumors. However, the excision does not guarantee the full elimination of disease as recurrences could occur significantly later after the initial treatment. According to Kim et al. (2019), recurrence rates or surgical excision are between 3 to 12 percent of cases, and they mostly take place more than five years post-treatment. Therefore, besides the initial treatment, the necessary measures also include follow-up checkups.
Currently, there are many available options for skin cancer treatment. Surgical excision is recommended for tumors located in neck and trunk areas. Incomplete excisions in surgical treatment could result in recurrence in approximately 38 percent of cases (Kim et al., 2019). Mohs surgery is recommended for the treatment of high-risk tumors and recurrent skin cancer. On the other hand, for low-risk tumors, treatment measures could be faster and more cost-effective, with methods such as electrodesiccation and curettage (Kim et al., 2019). One of the treatment procedures developed recently for low-risk skin cancer tumors is cryosurgery, which focuses on freezing the surrounding margin of the tumor. Overall, the choice of treatment is based on the size of the tumor, its location area, and available equipment.
As skin cancer is associated with UV radiation, it is recommended that the population, especially those with a higher risk of developing skin cancer, take preventative measures. The preventive methods include reducing time spent in direct sunlight, wearing protective clothing and equipment, and using sunscreen products that reduce the harm from UV radiation. Lastly, it is necessary to educate the population on the importance of regular self-skin examination and prompt turn to professionals for a diagnosis to prevent adverse outcomes.
References
Cameron, M. C., Lee, E., Hibler, B., Giordano, C. N., Barker, C. A., Mori, S., Cordova, M., Nehal, K. S., & Rossi, A. M. (2019). Basal cell carcinoma: Contemporary approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 80(2), 321-339. Web.
Kim, D. P., Kus, K. J. B., & Ruiz, E. (2019). Basal cell carcinoma review. Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America, 33(1), 13–24. Web.