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Step 1
Surgery is the most often used tool to treat skin cancer, to remove the cancerous cells before it spreads to other organs. A surgeon will remove the skin cancer by cutting it out, freezing it off, or by using a laser to destroy it. Surgery is the most common form of skin cancer treatment because it removes the main threat and usually keeps it from spreading to other organs where it can become fatal.
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Step 2
Chemotherapy is another treatment for skin cancer. This is where the patient will take drugs to kill the skin cancer. Topical chemotherapy can be used in skin cancer cases as a cream or lotion to be applied to the skin. This lotion will destroy the skin cancer cells. It can also be given by a needle instead of in pill form.
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Step 3
Radiation therapy uses x-rays to destroy skin cancer cells. The x-rays can also shrink any tumors caused by skin cancer. This is an external skin cancer treatment that is usually used to help shrink any existing tumors.
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Step 4
An annual (or more often) physical is necessary in order to determine if there are new growths from skin cancer that need to be treated. This is done by a dermatologist who will look over your entire body for any discolorations or abnormalities on the skin. If they are small they can usually freeze them off right then and there. These annual check ups are very important in preventing more skin cancer.
