Do dermatologists treat skin cancer?

Yes, dermatologists are specialised in treating skin conditions including various types of skin cancer. They can help you in many ways and treat most skin cancers in their office. In rare cases, they may take the advice of other specialists.

Your skin is the first defence line against disease and protects other organs. You can put skin cancer in one of the most common categories of cancers and the main three types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. The main cause of skin cancer is overexposure to ultraviolet light. Understand how dermatologists can help you with skin cancer.

Who Are Dermatologists And What Are Their Specialities?

Dermatologists are experts who treat several skin conditions with the unique skills and experience to offer the best care. They can diagnose, treat and prevent skin, hair, nails and mucous membrane diseases.

Dermatologists specialise in treating many skin conditions including acne, psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, skin cancer and skin infections. In some rare cases, dermatologists take the help of other medical and surgical specialists including oncologists, plastic surgeons and rheumatologists.

There are the following specialities of dermatologists:

Acne

Acne is a common skin condition and some people can experience severe acne issues. If your over-the-counter products are not working and you are done with dealing acne with home remedies, a dermatologist can help you.

You can control acne, avoid scarring and make acne scars less noticeable with the guidance of a dermatologist. They can conduct examinations and create a treatment plan according to your needs.

Skin Cancer

The dermatologists can perform full-body exams to identify suspicious growths of skin cells. If the cancer cell growth is suspicious, a dermatologist can conduct a tissue sample. The dermatologist can treat many types of skin cancer in their office, especially early-stage cancers.

Hair Loss

A dermatologist can treat hair loss. They are experts in diagnosing hair loss and determining if have hair loss or excessive shedding. They can help identify the main cause of hair loss. Your dermatologist can prescribe medications to prevent hair loss and encourage hair growth.

If any underlying medical condition is causing hair loss, the dermatologist will work with other specialities to ensure you receive the effective and right treatment.

Psoriasis

The dermatologist can create customised treatment plans for psoriasis based on symptoms, health and goals. They can prescribe medications, recommend light therapy or suggest other treatments. There are various treatment options they can suggest including, topical creams, phototherapy and systemic.

How Can Dermatologists Treat Skin Cancer?

Dermatologists are like soldiers who help fight against skin cancer. They use their skills, precision and expertise to treat the skin cancer.

When a dermatologist detects skin cancer, they suggest different treatment options and can conduct examinations depending on the type and how advanced it is. A dermatologist has a variety of treatment options for skin cancer, including:

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy is a treatment for some types of skin cancer that uses a light-sensitive drug and a light source to kill skin cancer cells. Photodynamic therapy is effective for treating superficial skin cancers.

This procedure is less invasive than surgery and causes minimal scarring. Some side effects can be pain, discomfort, redness and swelling. These side effects can subside after a few days.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a treatment for skin cancer that kills cancer cells or stops them from dividing. There are two ways to make it use: topical and systemic. In topical treatment, a cream is applied directly to the skin to deal with skin cancer that is affecting the top layer of the skin. In systemic, the drug is injected into a vein to treat skin cancer that has spread to lymph nodes.

Radiation Therapy

This therapy can be effective for skin cancer treatment and the dermatologist can perform it for treating basal and squamous cell skin cancer. Melanoma, a rare but dangerous type of skin cancer can also be treated with radiation therapy.

If you can’t have a surgical procedure or don’t want to, your dermatologist can suggest this treatment. They can also recommend this treatment option if the skin cancer is in an area that is hard to reach with surgery.

There are several treatment options for skin cancer that a dermatologist can perform. You must visit your dermatologist for the detection of skin cancer at an early stage if you want effective and right treatment.

When You Need To Visit a Dermatologist For Skin Cancer?

You should visit a dermatologist for skin cancer if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms:

• A new growth on your skin

• New spots that change, itch or bleed

• Different spots that one day appear suddenly

• A sore that does not heal

• Any change in the size, shape or colour of an existing mole

If you have a history of excessive sun exposure or a family history of skin cancer you must consult a dermatologist for early detection and treatment.