Skin cancer is the growth of cancerous or tumorous cells on the outer surface of the skin known as the epidermis. Most cases of the skin cancer usually develop on the outer surface, and therefore, the condition can be identified in the early stages. Skin cancer manifests in three types, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma, which is the most prevalent, but least dangerous. It originates in the lowest epidermal layer. Squamous cell carcinoma is relatively less common than the basal cell type. It can metastasize, if left untreated. It originates in the middle epidermal layer. Melanoma is the least common but most dangerous type of skin cancer. It metastasizes rapidly and can be life threatening. It originates in the melanocytes cells of the skin.
According to a report published by the British Journal of Dermatology, both the non-melanoma and melanoma cancer are the most common type of cancer among Caucasians.
The widespread factor responsible for skin cancer is the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Long-term exposure to sunlight can cause both non-melanoma and melanoma cancer as indicated in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. The ultraviolet rays consist of both UVA and UVB radiations. The UVB radiations affect the outer layer of the skin. The UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are more dangerous than the UVB rays. The UV radiations may cause cancer in various ways. They may develop unstable molecules called oxidants or free radicals in the skin, which alter the DNA structure and damage the skin cells. In addition, the white blood cells known as T-lymphocytes and certain other cells called as Langerhans cells provide immunity to the skin; however, upon exposure to sun rays, the immune response of these cells is suppressed by a chemical called urocanic acid.
Certain other risk factors of skin cancer are as follows:
Chemotherapy for skin cancer is one of the effective treatment procedures. Before opting for chemotherapy or any other treatment procedures, the dermatologist takes into account the background information of the patient such as the extent of the cancer, age, overall health, tolerance to specific medications, and past medical history.
Based on the results retrieved, the dermatologist can opt for any of the following three types of chemotherapy for skin cancer:
Topical chemotherapy procedure involves the application of a cream or lotion onto the specific location of the skin in order to kill the cancerous or tumorous cells. Oral chemotherapy procedure involves treatment by orally taking approved medications. Systemic chemotherapy involves the injection of the anticancer drugs through the veins.
The dermatologist usually recommends topical chemotherapy for skin cancer of non melanoma type such as the basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The doctor may prescribe the drugs namely 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod. The various classes of drugs for treatment of melanoma are methylating agents, taxanes and nitrosoureas. The methylating agents include temozolomide and dacarbazine, etc.
Taxanes include paclitaxel and docetaxel, etc. Nitrosoureas includes drugs such as lomustine and carmustine, etc.
Chemotherapy for skin cancer may pose some side effects depending upon the type of procedure used. Some of the common side effects that can be experienced when receiving chemotherapy are as follows:
These side effects reduce with time, and may revert altogether once the chemotherapy is stopped. In most cases, the dermatologist will treat the above mentioned side effects by prescribing certain additional drugs in coordination.
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