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The first step is to make a proper diagnosis. For this, the practised eye of a dermatologist is often sufficient. In doubtful cases, a piece of skin is removed under local anaesthesia (usually 3 mm). The piece is then examined under the microscope. This examination is done by a pathologist. In most cases, it is clear which condition is involved within a week. The appropriate therapy can then be started.
Cryotherapy
With liquid nitrogen the skin can be treated. Tissue will be frozen up to minus 80 degrees Celsius. The skin turns white during treatment and red after treatment. Due to the temperature there will be local skin damage. During the next day’s crust or sometimes blister formation can occur. After 1 week the skin is healed.
Efudix / Aldara treatment
With special cremes the affected skin can be treated several times during 2-6 weeks. During this treatment period the skin cells will be destroyed, and after stopping the application the skin will heal within 1 week.
Excision = cutting away
Treatment of a skin cancer generally consists of cutting out the affected skin under local anesthesia. During the procedure, small blood vessels will be closed and then the skin will be sutured and provided with adhesive plasters. The treatment takes half an hour. The excised tissue is then marked and checked under the microscope to ensure that the skin cancer has been completely removed.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Aktinische Keratose can be treated by PDT. The affected skin is covered with a cream. The cream is then absorbed by the skin cells and makes it sensitive to certain wavelengths of light. The cream takes 3 hours to be properly absorbed by the skin cells. Then the skin is illuminated with a special lamp. The following days, a superficial abrasion often develops and heals the skin without scarring.
MOHS technique
The MOHS technique is a way to cut skin cancer away, if it’s difficult to define with the naked eye or is in an anatomically difficult place.
The affected skin is locally anesthetized and the skin cancer visible to the naked eye, including a safety margin, is cut away. The tissue is examined under the microscope to see if the cancer cells have been completely removed. If this is not the case, but if nests of cancer cells are still seen under the microscope in certain places, the skin is cut exactly on the affected skin. The skin is spared where there is no longer any skin cancer. When all skin cancer has been removed, the skin is sutured and provided with adhesive plasters. After the treatment, we will keep you checked in the clinic. It is recommended that because of the anesthetic applied an accompanying person will take you home. You cannot drive a car yourself for the first few hours after the procedure.