surgery

Many skin cancers can be completely eliminated with surgery. After anesthetizing the skin locally, the doctor extracts the cancerous tumor using a scalpel. Depending on the size, type and site of the cancer, he may either cauterize the wound or close it with stitches.

cryosurgery

In the case of some very small cancers or precancerous lesions, the diseased tissue is destroyed by extreme cold (using liquid nitrogen).

Radiotherapy

It is sometimes used in certain circumstances, such as when it is difficult to do surgery, or after surgery, to kill cancer cells that may remain. It consists of destroying cancer cells using electromagnetic radiation, trying to spare healthy peripheral tissue.

Topical chemotherapy

Sometimes cancer drugs can be applied directly to the affected area. The treatment lasts several weeks.

Systemic chemotherapy

It involves the use, by injection or in the form of tablets, of chemicals in order to target and damage cells which divide too quickly. It is used, in particular, when the cancer is at a stage of metastatic dissemination.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy can be used to strengthen the immune system with certain substances, such as interferon or interleukin, to help it fight cancer.

Note. When a substantial portion of the skin has been removed by surgery, a skin graft can be used. Healthy skin is removed from the patient’s body and implanted where the cancer cells were removed.