Article: Even though the word "cancer" can strike fear in us the moment we hear it, skin cancer is actually one of the most curable forms of cancer. When caught early, it can oftentimes be removed with no long-term ramifications. The key to curability depends on both the specific type of skin cancer, as well as the time-frame in which it is noticed and excised by a physician. If the skin cancer is either a precursor lesion (a precancerous growth), a "squamous cell carcinoma," or a "basal cell carcinoma," it can most likely be removed and cured. These are types of cancers or pre-cancers that, when caught early, rarely cause long-term consequences. Melanoma, on the other hand, is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Although it is the least common diagnosis, it is the leading cause of death from skin cancer, and the fastest one to metastasize (spread) to other areas of the body. Fortunately, with early identification, many melanomas can be noticed, excised, and effectively "cured" as well; however, the risk is certainly higher with this subtype and thus of greater concern. When you see your doctor and show them your skin lesion, they will evaluate it and may recommend biopsying (taking a sample of) or excising (completely cutting out) any lesions that are potential cancers. If your doctor recommends a biopsy or excision, they will most likely send you to a medical specialist (a dermatologist, who specializes in skin concerns) to undergo the procedure. A biopsy is done if the purpose is to gather more information i.e. if the goal is to determine the specific diagnosis of the skin lesion, and to assess whether or not it is a cause for concern. There are a variety of ways to perform a biopsy; all can be done easily in your doctor's office. An excision is done if the goal is to completely remove the lesion due to a sufficiently high level of suspicion. Generally, skin lesions can be excised using only local anesthetic (local freezing injected in the surrounding skin with a small needle so that you won't feel any pain). It is a procedure that can most often be completed within one office visit, without needing to go to a hospital. If the lesion is smaller, another option is that your doctor may try "cryotherapy," which uses liquid nitrogen to kill the cancerous or pre-cancerous cells; however, this can only be used for lesions that are small and shallow (i.e. that do not penetrate the skin layers too deeply, otherwise the liquid nitrogen is ineffective). If you have had a skin lesion excised by a doctor, know that they will examine the piece of skin under a microscope after it has been removed. What the doctors are specifically looking for under the microscope is whether or not the margins (i.e. the borders) are "clear." If the margins are "clear," meaning that they show no cancerous cells, then you and your doctor can take confidence knowing that all of the pathological cells have been removed. On the other hand, if the margins show cancerous cells, it indicates risk that the cancer has spread to other parts of your body and may not have been completely "cured." If the margins show cancerous cells, your doctor will speak to you about how best to proceed, and what further forms of treatment (such as chemotherapy) may be needed to give you the best chance of a complete cure. When surgeons or dermatologist remove suspicious spots, they will generally remove at least 1 cm of normal tissue. This helps ensure removal of all cancerous cell.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Understand that most skin cancers are easily curable. Biopsy or excise any worrisome lesions. Evaluate the "margins" after excision.