A skin cancer diagnosis is serious. Perhaps you are concerned that you may have skin cancer, and you feel worried about the outcome. Timely skin cancer treatments can help the condition go into remission. Getting an affirmative diagnosis is important because it helps dermatologists determine which treatments to use. The following are a few treatment options that dermatologists have at their disposal. 

Immunotherapy

This option involves treatments that boost the immune system. In some cases, the improvements in the performance of the immune system can result in the body being able to defend itself against new cancer cells and destroy existing ones.

Chemotherapy

This option involves the administration of drugs that are designed to thwart the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often administered via injections.

Topical Medications

There are a few medications that have been approved by the FDA to treat skin cancer. These medications are available in topical forms and work in the same manner as chemotherapy. They can be effective in the treatment of superficial skin cancers.

Radiation Therapy

This involves the use of radiation to kill cancer cells. It is an ideal option when surgery would be difficult or not recommended. For example, a chronic health condition could make surgery an ill-advised treatment option. Prolonged exposure to radiation is a concern, which is why this option is sometimes chosen as a last resort or when other options are risky. 

Surgery

Surgery involves the use of surgical equipment to remove cancerous growths. This option may be chosen in the early stages of skin cancer when simple growths are present. In some cases, surrounding skin and tissue also have to be excised, which could result in scarring.

Cryotherapy

Nitrogen can be used to freeze cancerous growths. After the growths are frozen, they fall off. Cutting is not involved, and no anesthesia is required. That is why this skin cancer treatment is ideal for individuals who have had a prior history of anesthesia problems and thus would not be a good fit for surgery. It is also ideal for individuals with bleeding disorders such as blood clotting issues. 

Adjuvant Therapy

This option is used after primary treatments to prevent cancer from returning. Chemotherapy and surgery are commonly used in adjuvant therapy to fight aggressive forms of skin cancer. 

A dermatologist is the best resource to use to diagnose skin disorders. They can also determine the best skin cancer treatments for each individual patient based on the patient's existing health problems, how advanced their skin cancer is, and the patient's medical history.