Skin Cancer: Diagnosis & Treatment

Overview

Skin cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from skin cells and can be categorized as either primary or metastatic.

Types of Skin Cancer:

1. Melanoma – The most aggressive type, including:Acral melanoma
   Superficially spreading melanoma
   Malignant lentigo-melanoma
   Nodular melanoma
   

2. Basal cell carcinoma – The most common, slow-growing, and rarely metastasizing

3. Squamous cell carcinoma – Can be aggressive and spread if untreated

Rare Skin Cancers:

• Angiosarcoma

• Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

• Extramammary Paget’s disease

• Cancer of skin appendages (hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands)

Precancerous Conditions:

Some skin lesions have the potential to transform into cancer over time:

• Actinic keratosis – 8% risk of malignancy

• Bowen’s disease – 3-5% risk of malignancy

• Arsenic keratosis

Diagnosis

• The gold standard for diagnosing skin cancer is a biopsy.

• Advanced imaging and additional tests are recommended if there is a high risk of metastasis.

Treatment

• Surgical resection – Tumor removal followed by reconstructive skin surgery (local flap closure)

• Photodynamic therapy – Uses light and a photosensitizing agent to destroy cancer cells

• Local immunomodulators (e.g., Imiquimod) – Used for superficial basal cell carcinoma and precancerous conditions

• Cryotherapy & electrocautery – Non-invasive treatments for early-stage lesions

• Aggressive cancers – Require multimodal therapy, combining surgery with chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Cost of Diagnosis & Treatment:

• 9,500,000 – 14,000,000 KRW (surgical treatment)