Treatments for non-melanoma skin cancer
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Your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. The plan is based on your health and specific information about the cancer. What you want is also important when planning treatment. When deciding which treatments to offer for non-melanoma skin cancer, your healthcare team will consider:
- the type of non-melanoma skin cancer
- whether the cancer is low risk or high risk
- where the cancer is
- the size of the cancer
- how treatments will affect your appearance
- what you prefer or want
Surgery is the main treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer. Radiation therapy, drug therapy and photodynamic therapy are also used to treat non-melanoma skin cancer.
Treatments for basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin is often treated with surgery, radiation therapy and drug therapy. Photodynamic therapy may also be used.
Treatments for squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is often treated with surgery, radiation therapy and drug therapy. Photodynamic therapy may also be used.
Treatments for Merkel cell carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of non-melanoma skin cancer. It can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy and drug therapy.
Surgery for non-melanoma skin cancer
Surgery is a medical procedure to examine, remove or repair tissue. Non-melanoma skin cancer is usually treated with surgery.
Radiation therapy for non-melanoma skin cancer
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Non-melanoma skin cancer is sometimes treated with radiation therapy.
Drug therapy for non-melanoma skin cancer
Drug therapy uses drugs to treat cancer. Drug therapy is sometimes used to treat non-melanoma skin cancer.
Photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin cancer
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is sometimes used to treat non-melanoma skin cancer.
Follow-up after treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer
Follow-up is an important part of care for non-melanoma skin cancer. It often involves regular tests and visits with the healthcare team.