The Treatment of the Skin Cancer - Essay Example

"The Treatment of the Skin Cancer" is an interesting example of a paper on cancer.
Skin cancer is the growth of skin due to a variety of reasons. The two most common skin cancers, namely basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma will be discussed in this report along with their treatment, risk factors, and prevention.  

 
Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma   

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer that is in the medical dictionary of skin cancers. It does not have a fatal effect on the patient but is still considered to be malignant. It can be identified as the pearly flesh color, small blood vessel-like indication on the skin surface, or at times ulceration as well. 

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer, the first being Basal Cell Cancer. It is caused by the mutated ectodermal or endodermal cells lining body cavities. This can affect several body organs, both external and internal. This form of cancer is also caused by extensive exposure to sunlight and UV rays. 

Non-Surgical Treatments    

There are various methods of treating skin cancer. Some of the non-surgical methods will be discussed in this section of the research paper. 

Biologic Therapy 

This therapy uses the natural contents the body produces to cure cancer. This may be termed as immunotherapy as the drugs stimulate the immune system to naturally produce those contents. The most common substance that is used from the body is “Inferno”. It is naturally produced by the body to heal small infections but a high amount of it is produced through medication to fight this kind of cancer. This is an experimental technique that has shown a lot of promise for the future. 

Retinoid 

Retinoids are naturally and synthetically derived products of Vitamin A. they use their physiologic effect to bind some particular nuclear receptors. This being another field that is constantly being researched has been tested for almost 500 genes which can be cured by this method (Mydlarski, 2011). 

Topical Chemotherapy 

As a substitute for surgical options, the initial stages of both these skin cancers can be treated by a topical ointment. Many patients are induced to this option as the surgery may leave permanent marks on the areas of the cancer infection such as the face or hands. This ointment treats cancer just like chemotherapy does.  

Photodynamic Therapy 

This kind of treatment uses oxygen radicals produced from a specific photoactive particle to get a tissue response of therapeutic nature. In this treatment, photon energy is converted into oxygen particles, which then target the affected area and destroys the affected skin tissue. These photo-sensitizers may be given systematically or topically depending upon the area that has been affected, like internal or external (Lien, 2011). 

Risk Factors   

Some of the risk factors are sun exposure, gamma radiation exposure, actinic keratosis, inorganic arsenic exposure, smoking, old burn scars, and exposure to UV rays, especially at a pre-teenage. 

Conclusion 

This paper can be concluded by the prevention methods that could be taken to avoid such discomfort to oneself and his family. The major reason is UV and sun rays, hence sunscreen and avoiding sunlight in midday is the best preventive method. Other methods include the avoidance of tobacco products and wearing protective clothing, especially when working in the field. All these methods are very simple and effective, which can save a lot of trouble and expenses. Skin cancer is not fatal but late recognition and wrong diagnosis have caused it to render lives unsafe, that is what medical history tells us. The conclusion is very important for each paper and should always be there.