RCCA physicians in South Jersey discuss melanoma
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on email Share on print The New Jersey average of 22.2 new cases of melanoma
Skin Cancer Treatment in NJ, CT, and MD
For patients diagnosed with skin cancer, several effective treatment options are available. The medical oncologists of Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) offer the latest cancer treatment for melanoma and advanced forms of other skin cancers. With multiple community-based care centers throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area, patients with skin cancer can look to RCCA to find the care they need close to home.
What Is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer occurs when skin cells mutate and begin to grow irregularly. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it has several layers, including the epidermis, the skin’s top layer which is where skin cancers occur. There are three main types of skin cancer:
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is cancer of the squamous cells, which are located on the upper-most portion of the epidermis.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
This is a cancer of the basal cells, round cells found just beneath the squamous cells in the epidermis.
Melanoma
Melanoma is cancer of the melanocytes, cells situated below the basal cells and responsible for producing melanin, the body’s skin pigment. This type of skin cancer has the highest tendency to metastasize, or spread.
Other skin cancers, such as Merkel cell, Kaposi sarcoma, and lymphoma, are rare but can be fast-spreading.
Types of Skin Cancer Treatment
Early detection and treatment of skin cancer provides the most treatment options and best outcomes. For instance, the five-year survival rate for localized melanoma — when the disease has not spread beyond its site of origin — is 99%. However, this percentage declines significantly once melanoma has spread to nearby structures or reached distant organs.
The medical oncologists of Regional Cancer Care Associates employ a wide range of treatment options for melanoma and advanced forms of other skin cancers. Therapies employed to treat skin cancer include:
Surgery
A dermatologist or surgical oncologist has several options for excising cancerous skin cells and a portion of surrounding healthy skin to ensure that no cancer remains. Most skin cancer surgeries are performed in the office setting.
Cryotherapy
This is a non-invasive form of treatment that often is used on benign and malignant tumors. It employs liquid nitrogen to freeze off cancerous cells. Cryotherapy typically heals evenly without forming scars.
Radiation
Radiation therapy generally is reserved for use in later stages of skin cancer and often is delivered in combination with other therapies. It destroys cancer with high-energy wave devices.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses toxic drugs to kill cancer cells. Patients receive these treatments intravenously, by injection into specific areas of the body, or by swallowing pills or liquids taken by mouth.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is similar to chemotherapy, and is a fairly new approach. As their name implies, targeted therapies act against specific mutations driving cancer growth, and so have an effect only on cells with these mutations rather than on nearby healthy cells.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapies harness the power of the body’s own immune system to identify and attack cancerous cells. Immunotherapy has become a prominent component of the treatment plan for advanced melanoma in recent years.
Skin Cancer Risk Factors
Anyone can develop skin cancer, regardless of skin tone. The biggest risk factor is exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds. People are also at increased risk if they have:
- Experienced several sunburns at a young age
- Light or pale skin color
- Light-colored eyes or hair, or have many freckles and moles
- Precancerous growths
- A personal or family history of skin cancer
- A history of organ transplant
- Had exposure to UV light therapy to treat skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis
- Weakened immune systems
Skin Cancer Signs and Symptoms
There are a few symptoms to remember when reviewing the skin for abnormalities and irregularities. They include:
- Bumps or sores that do not improve
- Pale patches on the skin
- Lesions with a red or brown color or scaly appearance
- Lesions that bleed
- Rough or bumpy moles
- Asymmetry
- Irregular borders
- Unusual colors or are multicolored
- Uneven diameters
- Changes in shape, form, color, or texture over time
Call Regional Cancer Care Associates for Advanced Skin Cancer Care
The medical oncologists of Regional Cancer Care Associates are experts at treating and caring for patients with melanoma and advanced forms of other skin cancers. To learn about treatment options for advanced skin cancer, visit one of the 25 office locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area.
Innovative, proactive, personalized care for skin cancer
From empowering you with information and tools to fully understand skin cancer, to treating it quickly and comprehensively, RCCA is committed to your care. As one of the nation’s largest cancer physician networks, we have the reach, the resources and the localized accessibility to treat your very individualized needs with top-quality care and unfailing compassion.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (844) 346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the RCCA location nearest you.
Physicians SPECIALIZED IN skin cancer
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