What Does Melanoma Look Like » skin cancer treatment

Study of Late Recurrence of Malignant Melanoma

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:38:20 +0000

It seems prudent to have a lifelong follow up even though one is fully recovered by the treatment of skin cancer. The usual time line of 10 years after first cure might not be all conclusive. If the German study as detailed below is any guidance, patients of malignant melanoma should take heart in that late recurrence (10 years or more) is only about 1 percent.

clipped from www.skincaretreated.com

Late recurrence (10 years or more) of malignant melanoma in south-east Germany (Saxony) A single-centre analysis of 1881 patients with a follow-up of 10 years or more

Background Late recurrent melanoma (MM) is rare.Objective In the present study, we analysed the frequency of late recurrent MM in south-eastern Germany.Patients and methods In our centre, 2314 MM patients were documented (1972[ndash]2001). A total of 1881 patients in stage I or II (AJCC) with a follow-up of [ge]10 years were selected and screened for late recurrence ([ge]10 years after diagnosis).Results Twenty patients were identified (1.1%), 13 women and 7 men, median age 44 years (age range 30[ndash]74 years).

The largest period from primary diagnosis to recurrence was 25.1 years with a median of 13.9 years.

Conclusions Late recurrence is a clinical sign of melanoma dormancy. We conclude that late recurrences argue for a lifelong follow-up of melanoma patients.

Treatment of Skin Cancer

admin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:03:10 +0000

The following is a snapshot of the various methods currently in use in treating the various types of skin cancers.

C&E – this is a two-step procedure in which a curette (sharp-tipped instrument) is used to remove the more friable cancer tissue from normal tissue and bleeding is controlled by an electrical current or by a chemical agent. This cycle is repeated two to four times. Nodular and superficial BCC and non-invasive SCC can usually be treated effectively with C&E. It is a low risk procedure.

Cryosurgery – liquid nitrogen is used at very low temperatures ( below -50°C) to freeze the skin and induce necrosis of the skin in the treated area. This cycle is repeated two or three times. It is a low risk and effective treatment for primary superficial and nodular BCC, or superficial SCC. The treatment will result in an open wound that usually would take a few months to heal.

Radiation – this treatment has a reported cure rate of 89 to 95 percent. It is useful for the older people who cannot tolerate surgery, for medium sized tumors and for lesions that are too inaccessible to be removed surgically. Radiation is particularly useful for lesions on or near the face.

Chemotherapy – involving the use of chemotherapeutic agents like 5-FU or Imiquimod cream. The substance is applied directly to the skin twice a day for four weeks or more. It works by causing an inflammatory reaction. Though it is easy to use, there are concerns on possible skin irritation and pigmentation changes.

Surgery – excision is a surgical procedure that removes the entire lesion with an appropriate margin, usually 3-5mm, of clinically normal tissue. The resulting defect is then repaired with sutures.

Mohs Micrographic surgery – this involves removing successive horizontal layers of the skin cancer with a small margin (1-2mm) of surrounding tissue. Each layer is sent for pathological examination. The result of microscopic examinations would decide if further layer removal is required. Because this method has the highest cure rate of 97-99 percent, it is recommended for all tumors in the high-risk areas of the face.

Laser therapy – this involves the use of carbon dioxide laser as a cutting instrument much like a scalpel.

Skin Cancer News

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:58:22 +0000

High-frequency ultrasound with elastography will be a great technology to help the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. Here is the news to follow.

clipped from www.medicalnewstoday.com

Special Ultrasound Accurately Identifies Skin Cancer

High-frequency ultrasound with elastography can help differentiate between cancerous and benign skin conditions, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Elastography was found to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions not by their visible appearance but by measuring their elasticity or stiffness. Since malignancies are stiffer than benign growths, elastography, when added to high-frequency ultrasound imaging of the skin, has potential to improve the accuracy of traditional clinical diagnosis of skin cancers and, in some cases, eliminate unnecessary biopsies of benign skin lesions. The procedure is noninvasive, convenient and inexpensive.

Source

Radiological Society of North America