It’s officially summer and that means people are spending more time in the sun. Being Florida residents, many of us are already aware of the damage the sun can do, but nonetheless, skin cancer continues to be on the rise. Melanoma is a less common form of skin cancer, but it is potentially the most deadly. It accounts for about 4% of skin cancer cases, but it is the cause for 79% of skin cancer deaths.
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common skin cancers, and often develop on the areas of the body that are exposed to the sun. These types of skin cancers, if detected and treated early, are very likely to be cured. Melanoma is also highly curable if it is detected at an early stage.
Although surgical techniques such as local excision or Moh’s surgery are the primary management of skin cancers, radiation therapy is appropriate for many patients. Patients who have difficulty with surgery due to blood thinners or poor healing often opt for HDR radiotherapy. In skin cancers of the nose, ears or lips when it is unclear how large the resection will be or how complicated the reconstruction will be, patients often do better with radiotherapy. Advanced radiation therapy including HDR is one of the treatment options available to treat skin cancers at Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
For more information on skin cancer and radiation therapy at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, click here.
