I am 45 years old, recently rough moles appeared, skin cancer was detected. How to treat this disease, is it curable? (Van Tung, Vinh Long)
Reply:
Skin cancer is a condition in which skin cells grow uncontrollably. There are three common types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma (malignant moles).
Basal cell carcinoma accounts for about 80% of skin cancer cases. This type of cancer progresses slowly, can be cured if the disease is detected and treated properly, and the prognosis after 5 years of treatment is 100%. In the late stages, when cancer cells have metastasized to the lungs, heart, brain..., the success rate drops to only 20-40%.
Squamous cell carcinoma second most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 20%.
Malignant melanoma The most dangerous, deeply invasive, progresses quickly from moles, melanin spots, age spots, and metastasizes to other parts. Patients are detected and diagnosed in stage one, the relative survival rate after 5 years is about 99%. If not detected early, malignant melanoma spreads below the skin's surface and is more difficult to remove.
To treat skin cancer, doctors often surgically remove about 1-2 cm of cancerous tissue and surrounding tissue, then create cosmetic surgery. Depending on the pathology results, the patient may receive radiotherapy to prevent the cancer from recurring.
You should go to the doctor to know the stage and type of skin cancer, so that the doctor can give you a suitable treatment regimen and prognosis.
The biggest cause of skin cancer is radiation from the sun's ultraviolet rays. There are also other risk factors such as many moles, sunburned skin, older age, smoking... People who work in high temperatures and outdoors; Frequent exposure to coal, arsenic compounds and X-rays is also associated with a higher risk of skin cancer.
To reduce the risk of skin cancer, people should avoid sun exposure and limit going out during the hours when ultraviolet rays are most active, from 10 to 14 p.m. Apply sunscreen at least 10 minutes before going outside and reapply every 30 minutes if outdoors and wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
People with signs such as small tumors, ulcers, red or light brown spots on the skin with a rough surface with scales or crusts... should go to a Head, Face and Neck specialist for examination to diagnose the cause and treat it.
Moles with unclear edges, strange colors, itching, redness, swelling, growing in size, asymmetrical, skin lesions of unknown cause and lasting more than two weeks, also warn of skin cancer and require examination. early.
MSc.BS.CKII Doan Minh Trong
Head, Face and Neck Unit, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City
