Were you recently diagnosed with skin cancer?
If you have precancerous or cancerous lesions that are limited to the top layer of your skin, then our doctors in Atlanta may prescribe a topical medication as an effective treatment option.
Types of Topical Skin Cancer Treatments
Topical treatments for skin cancer may include chemotherapy cream or photodynamic therapy, among others.
Topical Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a common and effective treatment for most cancers. But when you think chemotherapy, you may be picturing an IV bag. Luckily, chemotherapy for certain skin cancers is available in topical form.
Applied daily to the skin for several weeks, chemotherapy creams destroy cancer cells by ending their ability to grow and divide. One of the side effects of using topical chemotherapy is temporary skin inflammation or irritation.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy is a treatment for actinic keratosis that consists of two steps. First, a topical medication called aminolevulinic acid (Levulan) is applied over the affected area, then a special light shines over the area for several minutes to a few hours.
Before undergoing this procedure, your doctor may recommend taking a pain reliever, because the aminolevulinic acid can make your skin very sensitive, and the procedure can be uncomfortable.
For a few days after the procedure, you’ll need to protect yourself when outside because the chemicals used on your skin can make you very sensitive to the sun. During this time, skin will appear red and irritated. but within a few days the actinic keratoses will disappear along with all other side effects.
Skin Cancer Treatments in Atlanta
To learn more about skin cancers and the topical treatments available, call Dr. Stong of Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery in Atlanta.
