DETECTION & TREATMENT

skin being checked by technician Early detection and treatment will result in a cure for the majority of skin cancer cases.

 

Detection

Early detection of skin cancer is crucial. Luckily, this form of cancer is visible, making it much easier to detect the early warning signs.

It is vital that you regularly check your skin for changes to moles and freckles. You should also have your skin checked at least once a year by a doctor. The easiest way to remember is to use your birthday as a reminder.

Your doctor will look for signs of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), and will also check closely for melanoma.

See our SunWise Tips for more information on how to check your skin and what to look for.

 

Treatment

There are a number of different ways your doctor can treat skin cancer. The most common treatments are:

  • Minor surgery under local anaesthetic
  • Cryotherapy - freezing with liquid nitrogen
  • Scraping or burning the spot.

Melanomas cannot be treated by freezing, scraping or burning. If your doctor suspects you have a melanoma, they will remove the suspect mole, and possibly the surrounding tissue, and send it to a laboratory, where it will be examined for signs of malignancy. If the cancer has spread to areas such as lymph nodes, further surgery and therapy may be required, depending on the severity of the disease.

 

Potential new treatments

QIMR scientists are trialling a number of new treatments for skin cancer, with positive results.

One trial investigated the effects of new compounds based on plant substances, which are used in a topical cream to apply to severe cases of the more common skin cancers. Results have been promising, with complete clinical responses seen in most patients treated to date. Further trials are currently underway.

QIMR is also trialling a world first ‘immunotherapy' treatment for melanoma. Immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to recognise and kill melanoma cells, similar to a conventional vaccine. Patients are responding well to date, with no negative side effects. A number of patients with severe disease have even gone into remission.

 

Thank you to the Australasian College of Dermatologists and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research for providing information.