How Is Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Treated?

Nonmelanoma skin cancer treatment choices include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, photodynamic therapy, and biologic therapy.

If your healthcare provider thinks you might have nonmelanoma skin cancer — usually basal cell sarcoma or squamous cell carcinoma — you will need certain exams and tests to be sure.

Diagnosing skin cancer starts with your healthcare provider asking you questions. He or she will ask you about your health history, symptoms, risk factors, and family history of disease. Your healthcare provider will also give you a physical exam.

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You’ve been diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer

It’s normal to feel afraid. Learning about your cancer and skin cancer treatment options can make you feel less afraid. This also helps you work with your healthcare team and make the best choices for your treatment. You can also ask to speak with a counselor.

Treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancer

Skin cancer treatment choices include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, photodynamic therapy, and biologic therapy.

The best treatment for you depends on the size of your skin cancer, is the location, and is the stage of your skin cancer. Other factors that affect your treatment choices include your age, health, preferences, and what side effects you’ll find acceptable.

Surgery for nonmelanoma skin cancer

Surgery is a common treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancer. It is used in most cases when the cancer is still at an early stage. Many skin cancers can be removed easily and need only very minor surgery. Others may need a more extensive surgery. You will have several surgery choices.

Chemotherapy for nonmelanoma skin cancer

Chemotherapy is medication. With nonmelanoma skin cancer, you will usually have strong chemotherapy applied to your skin to kill cancer cells.

Basal cell cancer rarely spreads, so IV or oral medicine is not often a necessary treatment. Squamous cell cancer can sometimes spread. If that happens, you may receive medicines through an IV or orally.

Radiation therapy for nonmelanoma skin cancer

Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays or other types of radiation. The goal of this treatment is to kill cancer cells. In some cases, radiation is used instead of surgery. It can also be used to get rid of any cancer cells that may be left after surgery.

Prognosis for your nonmelanoma skin cancer

To determine your prognosis, your doctor will consider all the factors that could affect your cancer and its treatment. Your doctor will look at risk estimates about the exact type and stage of the cancer you have. The estimates are based on what results researchers have seen over many years in thousands of people with the same type and stage of cancer.

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