Melanoma (Skin) Treatment Options

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When it comes to fighting skin cancer, prevention and early detection are the best defense

In the U.S alone, more than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year which is more than all other cancers combined. And the incidence is steadily rising. It is estimated that one in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The good news is if skin cancer is caught early and properly treated, it can be cured.

The multidisciplinary team at Hackensack Meridian Health has a strong commitment to research, which led us to take an important role in the development of novel therapies. Among these therapies are checkpoint inhibitors, which represent a breakthrough therapy for metastatic melanoma.

Our division includes multidisciplinary experts in Mohs surgery, dermatopathology, dermatology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, reconstructive surgery and clinical research, all working together.

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the skins cells. Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is causes more skin cancer than any other factor, and protecting yourself from the sun is one of the most important things you can do to prevent skin cancer.

Three main types of skin cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma

• Most common, slow growing, and highly treatable form of skin cancer
• Mainly occurs in areas exposed to the sun
• Usually appears as a small, shiny bump or nodule on the skin
• Most common among people with light-colored eyes, hair and complexion

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• More aggressive than basal cell carcinoma, highly treatable
• May be found on the face, ears, lips, and mouth, can spread to other parts of the body
• May appear as nodules or red, scaly patches of skin
• Usually found in fair-skinned people

Malignant Melanoma

• Accounts for a small percentage of all skin cancers, but accounts for most deaths from skin cancer.
• Starts in the melanocytes-cells that produce pigment in the skin
• May begin as an abnormal mole that then turns cancerous, and can spread quickly
• Most often appears on fair-skinned men and women, but people with all skin types may be affected.

Know your A-B-C’s to catch skin cancer early

• Asymmetry: When half of the mole does not match the other half
• Border: When the border (edges) of the mole are ragged or irregular
• Color: When the color of the mole is not the same all over; you may see shades of brown or black, sometimes with areas of pink, red, white, or blue
• Diameter: If the mole’s diameter is larger than a pencil’s eraser

Systemic treatment 

Chemotherapy administered orally or intravenously (IV) for more advanced cancers.

Surgery

Mohs Surgery 
This procedure removes the cancer and as little normal tissue as possible. During this surgery, the surgeon removes the cancer and then uses a microscope to look at the edges of the tumor to make sure no cancer cells remain.

Radiation Oncology

X-rays
X-rays are a noninvasive way to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation can be used for lesions anywhere on the body, including delicate areas on the face.