Trephine Biopsy

There are several options available for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers. Here are the normal procedures for determining whether a patient has cancer of the skin:

ยท Skin examination by a qualified person to check for bumps or spots that may seem unusual in terms of color, size, shape or texture.

ยท A pathological examination (biopsy) procedure on a portion of the abnormal-looking growth to determine the presence of cancer cells. This can be accomplished in one of three methods: surgical shave biopsy in which a razor blade is used to shave pieces off of the growth-suspects in which a biopsy instrument called a trephine is used to remove a circle of fabric growth and excisional biopsy in which growth is completely removed surgically using a scalpel.

Treatment and recovery of skin cancer depends significantly on the conditions or stage of cancer, there is no foolproof method of treatment and management of skin cancer because each case is unique to the individual and is also influenced by factors such as type of cancer, location and size of the tumor (if it has metastasized or not) and the patient's overall health and fitness.

In the traditional method of treatment, there are four options available.

Surgery: There are various surgical procedures used for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer.

aec For superficial skin cancer Mohs micrographic surgery is the most common procedure in which the tumor is gradually incised the affected area of skin in very thin layers and examined microscopically to verify the presence or absence cancer cells. The procedure continues until the presence of cancer cells is negative.

ยท Simple excision is the surgical removal of a tumor, including some of the surrounding skin tissue.

aec The shaving of the surface of the affected area with a surgical blade.

Coup de tumor of the skin with a sharp instrument that resembles a small spoon, then treating the edges of the immediate area of the cut the power to stop and control bleeding and destroy remaining cancer cells.

aec Another option is cryosurgery which the abnormal tissue is destroyed by freezing.

aec Use laser to cut tissue and remove the affected skin malignancies.

ยท Removal of the top layer of the skin using a tool grinder type or skin defoliants to remove the affected skin cells.

Radiation: Radiation therapy is the treatment of cancer using X-rays or radiation to destroy cancer cells. These can be either externally using a machine outside the body or internal introducing radioactive elements in or near the affected area.

Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is the use of medications to control the spread of cancer cells in the body. It can be applied topically as a cream or lotion, orally or intravenously and / or intramuscular injection into the patient's vein or muscle.

Photodynamic therapy: The use of drugs in combination with laser to destroy cancerous cells. The drug is injected into the patient's vein and remains inactive until it is subjected to laser fiber optic tubes which becomes active and kills the cancer cells.

One thing in common with all the options mentioned above traditional treatments for cancer of the skin - they are generally invasive.

Although there is nothing wrong with the methodology, alternative methods of treating skin cancer, which are gaining acceptance in the West, marrying a holistic approach in the treatment of cancer or skin disease. A holistic approach focuses on mental health, physical and emotional aspects of the patient and not just the physical symptoms.