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Skin Cancer Treatment: Surgical Excision, Cryotherapy, and Dermatological Follow-Up

Medical consultation in a well-lit room. A middle-aged Hispanic doctor in a white coat and glasses explains a skin cancer treatment plan to a Hispanic female patient in her 50s, showing a diagram of skin layers on a digital tablet. On the desk, there are brochures about 'Skin Cancer Treatment' and a model of human skin. In the background, a poster illustrates skin cancer treatments such as local excision and cryotherapy. The atmosphere is professional and reassuring, emphasizing the importance of dermatological follow-up and topical immunotherapy.

The skin cancer treatment is a highly relevant topic in current medical practice, given the rising incidence of this type of cancer worldwide. Basal cell carcinomas and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas are the most common forms of skin cancer, and their management requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes local excision, cryotherapy, and dermatological follow-up.

Diving Deeper into Treatment

Surgical excision remains the first-line treatment for most cases of skin cancer, especially for high-risk tumors or those located in sensitive anatomical areas. Mohs micrographic surgery is particularly effective in reducing recurrence rates in high-risk tumors, although its use is reserved for specific cases due to its complexity and cost.

Cryotherapy is a viable option for smaller, low-risk tumors. This method uses extremely low temperatures to destroy cancer cells and is less invasive than surgery, although it may not be as effective in terms of long-term recurrence rates. According to a recent study, non-surgical treatments such as cryotherapy and topical immunotherapy, while less effective than surgery, offer superior cosmetic results.

Dermatological follow-up is crucial for early detection of recurrences and management of new cases of skin cancer. Regular surveillance is especially important given that the risk of developing a new skin cancer within five years of an initial diagnosis is significant, reaching up to 82% in patients with multiple prior diagnoses.

Conclusions

The management of skin cancer requires a combination of therapeutic strategies tailored to the individual characteristics of each patient and tumor. Local excision remains the gold standard for most cases, while cryotherapy and other non-surgical treatments offer less invasive alternatives with good cosmetic outcomes. Dermatological follow-up is essential for the long-term management of these patients, ensuring early detection of recurrences and new tumors.

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Created 6/1/2025