Radiation therapy is mainly used in cases where surgery would be cosmetically unacceptable, such as a lesion on the nose, eyes or lips. Glendale Memorial's Cancer Center offers specialized advanced radiation treatments for skin cancer, including electron beam and orthovoltage beam radiation therapy and radioactive implants. The cure rate for surgery and radiation are comparable. In the case of malignant melanoma, the primary growth is excised and if necessary, nearby lymph nodes are removed. Chemotherapy are biological therapy are also being used in the treatment of melanoma.
Early detection is important.
Adults should practice a skin self-exam once a month. Any suspicious lesions should be immediately evaluated by a physician. Skin cancers are highly treatable if found in the early stages. There are steps you can take to prevent the development of skin cancer. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.