Types of Skin Cancer Treatments in Minneapolis, MN

by | Nov 27, 2013 | Health

Skin cancer is a common cancer. There are a few different types of skin cancer and they all have similar treatment options. Skin Cancer Treatment in Minneapolis, MN uses the best and most up-to-date treatments for skin cancer. The type of treatment used will depend on how bad the cancer.

Cryotherapy

The simplest Skin Cancer Treatment in Minneapolis, MN is cryotherapy or cryosurgery. It used on localized skin cancer cases. When caught early, skin cancer is treated with cryotherapy. It is a simple treatment that takes one visit to the doctor. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the infected skin. It freezes the diseased skin and kills the bad tissues. This eliminates the cancer so that it can’t spread.

Electrodessication and Cutterage

Electrodessication and cutterage, known as EDC, is a two-part process for removing cancerous cells. It is a little more invasive than cryotherapy, but is still a simple procedure that takes one doctor visit. The doctor will scrap away layers of the skin to reach the diseased cells. The doctor will then use an electrosurgical device on the cancer cells. The device uses electricity to destroy and kill the cancer cells. The dead cancer cells are then removed.

Phototherapy

Phototherapy is an interesting cancer treatment that uses light to kill cancerous cells. As the patient, you will be given a drug that is photosensitive. That means it will react to light. The cancer cells in your body will absorb the drug. The doctor will then use a light of a specific wavelength and point it at the cancer cells that absorbed the drugs. The light will make the photosensitive drug react and kill the cancer cells.

Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is a more precise skin cancer treatment. A tiny microscopic layer of skin is removed from around the tumor or infected skin. That piece is examined closely by the doctor to determine where, if any, infected cancerous cells exists. The doctor will then remove another tiny layer of skin at a different location and repeat the process. It’s like taking your top layer of skin off and the doctor drawing dots where he finds cancerous cells. Imagine the doctor putting that layer of skin back on your body and knowing that everything below the dots contains cancerous cells.

You doctor will use one or more of these Skin Cancer Treatments in Minneapolis, MN. If one doesn’t work, your doctor will try another.

 

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