We have 2 Full time GPs with a special interest in skin cancer checks, and additional training in the detection and removal of skin cancers. There is no single method to treat all skin cancers and precancerous lesions. Choice of method is dictated by the size of the lesion, its location, its type (often confirmed by biopsy), and whether it is a primary or recurrent lesion.

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Also considered is the patient’s age, health, occupation and preference for treatment method.

Nonsurgical Treatments: Nonsurgical skin cancer treatments are used as conservative methods before opting for surgical excisions to reverse/ prevent skin cancer cells forming. This is determined on the shape size and colour or vascular appearance of the skin lesion examined.

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There are four main types of nonsurgical treatment options for skin cancer:

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): PDT uses a light-sensitizing drug and a specific wavelength of light to destroy cancer cells. The drug is applied to the skin and then activated by the light, causing a reaction that kills the cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

 

Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the cancerous tissue with liquid nitrogen, causing it to be destroyed and shed. It's commonly used for actinic keratosis (a precancerous condition) and some superficial skin cancers.

 

Topical Chemotherapy: This involves applying creams or gels containing medications like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or imiquimod directly to the affected area. 5-FU is a chemotherapy agent that targets and destroys cancer cells, while imiquimod stimulates the immune system to attack the cancer.

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Radiation Therapy: This treatment uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It can be an option for skin cancers in areas that are difficult to treat with surgery or for cancers that have spread.

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At Restore Medical Centre we use - Cryotherapy: A short few-second freeze of your skin with liquid nitrogen, predominantly used to treat precancerous solar keratoses (sun spots) and occasionally low-risk basal cell carcinoma or Bowen's disease tumours on low risk and non-cosmetically sensitive areas of the skin.

 

Topical treatments: 5-Fluorouracil and Imiquimod creams(5-FU): Used To treat multiple certain skin cancers, including actinic keratoses, solar keratoses superficial basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Both creams induce a local inflammatory reaction, leading to the destruction of cancerous cells and eventual re-epithelization of the skin.

 

About Skin Cancer 

2 out of 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer during their lifetime

 

More than 95% of skin cancers are directly related to exposure to UV radiation and unprotected Sun Exposure. UV radiation most often comes from the sun, but it can also come from artificial sources such as solariums. The structure and behaviour of your skin cells can change rapidly when your skin is unprotected and exposed to the sun or other UV radiation. This can damage the skin permanently, this damage adds up over time and can lead to the development of cancerous skin cells

 

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation 

This can lead to premature skin aging (photoaging) and skin cancer. There are two types of UV light:

• UVA light: This form of UV light penetrates all levels of your skin, from your outermost layer (epidermis) to the deepest layer (dermis). The epidermis layer gives your skin a smooth and youthful appearance. The dermis layer contains collagen and elastin, which give your skin its elasticity and tightness. UVA light is mainly linked to long-term skin damage, such as wrinkles, and probably plays a role in some skin cancers. UVA stimulates melanin production, which protects your skin by absorbing ultraviolet radiation within the epidermis.

 

UVB light

This form of UV light penetrates the epidermis layer, causing photoaging and the development of precancerous cells called actinic keratosis. UVB rays are the main rays that cause sunburn and the cause of most skin cancers. Due to the high levels of UV radiation, we experience in Australian we’re at risk of skin cancer.  However, some Australians have a higher risk, including people who have:

• had a previous skin cancer, including melanoma

• a family history of skin cancer

• fair or freckled skin, especially those with skin that burns easily and doesn’t tan

• red or fair hair and light-coloured eyes (blue or green)

• lots of moles, or lots of moles with irregular shape and uneven colour

• worked outdoors or spent a lot of time outside (e.g. gardening or golfing)

• had short, intense periods of exposure to UV radiation

• actively tanned, sunbaked or used solariums

• a weakened immune system – this may be from having leukemia or lymphoma or using medications that suppress the immune system (e.g. for rheumatoid arthritis, another autoimmune disease or for an organ transplant)

• certain skin conditions, including sunspots, because they show that you have had a lot of skin damage from exposure to the sun

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Skin cancers don’t all look the same, but there are signs to look out for, including:

• a spot that looks and feels different from other spots on your skin

• a spot that has changed size, shape, colour or texture

• a sore that doesn’t heal within a few weeks

• a sore that is itchy or bleeds.

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For melanoma, the ABCDE guidelines can be helpful.​​​​