Prevention and Treatments

The use of sunblock and hats is important for everyone.

Self examination of the skin is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

If a change is seen ask your family doctor if a specialist dermatology opinion is needed.

Keeping the treatment options open for the skin cancer patient.

The following are treatments that Dr Smith commonly uses. They combine a variety of surgical and medical therapies.

	Skin application of 5-fluorouracil (efudix) and imiquinod (aldara): These are applied by the patient to the lesion over a number of weeks. They destroy the cancer cells and stimulate the bodies own immune system to attack tumor. Their best results are seen with thin lesions.
	Curettage and cautery: This well established technique is most successful in the removal of superficial tumours. The lesion is scaped off the skin and the base then cauterised.
	Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen if applied to the tumor. This causes the temperature to drop to -30 to -50 degrees centigrade. This kills the tumor cells. The wound ulcerates and heals naturally.
	Standard surgical excision: The lesion is cut out with a variable margin of healthy tissue. A small proportion of the excised tissue is examined in the laboratory. If microscopic extensions to the margin are seen re-excision is often required.
	Mohs surgery: This is similar to the above but a higher cure rate is achieved by checking the edge of the wound for cancer cells by using a microscope.
	Wound repair: After surgery Dr Smith will discuss repair of the defect using a variety of procedures. The wound is often repaired side to side (primary closure) or by the sliding of tissue from surrounding areas to fill the defect (skin flap). In some cases a skin graft may be required.