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The Skin Cancer Guide: Skin Cancer Treatment in India
Skin Cancer is when something, like exposure to ultraviolet light, changes our cell growth. Skin cancer is a type of cancer when there is abnormal growth of cells in our skin tissues. Generally, new cells form and replace the old cells which are dead. This process does not work correctly after exposure to UV light from the sun, which makes cells grow more quickly. Skin cancer has an interesting history that extends thousands of years. Evidence of Skin Cancer evidence has been found in ancient civilizations.
Skin Cancer is a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. These cancer cells can be benign (don’t spread or cause any harm) or cancerous. Skin cancer may spread to nearby cells, tissues, or other body parts if not detected or treated early. Skin Cancer treatment in India provides a combination of therapies, surgeries, and other therapies at an affordable cost. The common form of skin may occur on areas of skin that are not exposed to sunlight.
Various Types of Skin Cancer
There are mainly three types of Skin Cancer:
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
It is the most common kind of skin cancer, mostly developing in fair-skinned people. It is formed in the basal cells in the lower parts of the epidermis or the outside layer of the skin. BCC, or Basal Cell Carcinoma, manifests as a flesh-coloured, round growth, a pearl-like bump, or a pinkish skin patch. It can cause changes in skin like a sore that does not heal, a change in the colour of an existing mole, or a new skin growth. It may damage the tissues which can further lead to scarring or disfigurement. BCCs are highly treatable and they rarely spread to areas of the body.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
It is the second most common type of skin cancer, usually developing in dark-skinned people. These cells are formed in the Squamous cells in the outside layer of the skin. They often appear as a firm, red bump, a scaly patch, or a sore that keeps healing and re-opening. It is more rapid than BCC, and if not treated, it may spread to lymph nodes or other body parts. It can cause many skin changes and damage underlying tissues leading to functional impairment and disfigurement. Squamous Cell Carcinoma, if detected early, may be treated with many skin cancer treatment options.
Melanoma
It is mostly known as the “most serious kind of skin cancer” as it may spread rapidly to other parts of the body. It is formed in melanocyte cells which produce melanin, the brown pigment that protects against some UV rays. Melanoma may develop in an existing mole or appear as a dark spot on the skin. It can also damage nearby tissues like muscles, bones, and nerves and may metastasize to parts like the lungs, or liver causing shortness of breath, jaundice, and many more. It can be treated in its early stages with the help of surgeries and therapies.
Some other types of cancer are rare but you should know about them. The other rare kinds of skin cancer are:
Kaposi Sarcoma
It is a skin cancer that begins in the cells lining lymph and blood vessels. it may cause lesions on people’s skin or tissue that line the internal organs. It usually affects people with weak immune systems and carries the rare virus HHV-8 (human herpesvirus). This particular virus makes healthy cells into cancerous cells. Its few types are:
- Epidemic Kaposi Sarcoma
- Acquired Kaposi Sarcoma
- Classic Kaposi Sarcoma
- Endemic Kaposi Sarcoma
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
It is a rare yet rapidly growing skin cancer that affects the outer layer of the skin, or epidermis. A weak immune system, viral infection, age, or Exposure to UV lights may cause this cancer. It spreads quickly to distant body parts and may return after treatment. Some of the other names for Merkel Cell Carcinoma are:
- MCC
- Merkel Cell Cancer
- Trabecular Cancer
- Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the skin
Sebaceous Carcinoma
It is a rare kind of skin cancer that starts in the skin’s oil-producing or sebaceous glands. It may return after the treatment. It affects the eyelids but may develop anywhere on the body. Experts and researchers still don’t know why people develop this cancer. Like other skin cancers, UV rays from sunlight might cause sebaceous carcinoma. Other names for this cancer include sebaceous gland carcinoma, sebaceous gland adenocarcinoma, and meibomian gland carcinoma.
Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP)
It is a rare type of skin cancer starting in the skin’s middle layer or the dermis. It rarely spreads as it grows slowly and might return after surgical treatment. this cancer may start near or in areas with skin damage like scars, tattoos, and burns. DFSP shows a high survival rate after proper treatment. some of the DFSP Types are:
- Bednar tumors (pigmented DFSP)
- Giant cell fibroblastoma
- Fibrosarcomatous dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP-FS)
- Myxoid DFSP
Cause and Symptoms of Skin Cancer
Firstly, the common sign of skin cancer is a change in the skin, typically a new skin growth or some change in an existing mole or an existing. Some of the common symptoms of skin cancer may include:
- New mole, or change in existing mole’s shape, size, colour, or bleeding.
- A pinkish or brown coloured, flat patch or bump
- Scars-looking areas on the skin
- Crust-looking sores that bleeds often
- Waxy or pearly bump on ear, face, or neck
Skin Cancer’s main cause is overexposure to sunlight, especially when someone has blistering and sunburn. Ultraviolet rays or UV rays from the sun damage the DNA of human skin, causing abnormalities in cell growth. The abnormal cells divide rapidly in a disorganised way, forming a mass of cancer cells. Some other risk factors that may cause skin cancer are:
- History of sunburns
- Tan or using tanning beds
- Irregularly shaped moles or many moles
- Family history of skin cancer
- Live in a high-altitude climate
- Actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous skin growth, usually rough, scaly, pink-brown patches)
Some Tests and Stages of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer changes the skin of the patient and It can be diagnosed by visiting a dermatologist, who may ask if the patient has noticed changes in the moles, skin spots, or freckles. The doctors further examine all the skin including the scalp, ears, palms of hands, soles of feet, between the toes, around the genitals, and derriere. To diagnose skin cancer, doctors may perform a biopsy. A biopsy is a test where a sample of tissue is removed and sent to the laboratory to know if the skin lesion is skin cancer and further discuss treatment options.
Stages of Skin Cancer
The cancer stages show how much cancer our body has. The stages vary from stage 0 To stage IV. The higher the number on the scale, the more cancer has spread. The staging process for melanoma is very different from non-melanoma skin cancers.
Melanoma Staging
- Stage 0- The top layer of your skin has melanoma
- Stage I- No evidence of its spreading and melanoma is at low risk. Curable with surgery
- Stage II- Indications show that it might recur, but no evidence of spreading
- Stage III- When melanoma has spread to nearby skin or lymph nodes
- Stage IV- Spreading of melanoma to distant lymph nodes, or internal organs.
Non-melanoma Staging
- Stage 0- The top layer of the skin has cancer
- Stage I- The top and middle layers of the skin have cancer
- Stage II- The top and middle layers of the skin have cancer and are moving to target the nerves or deeper layers of the skin
- Stage III- Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes beyond your skin
- Stage IV- When the cancer has spread to the other parts of the body like the liver, brain, or lungs.
Different Types of Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin cancer treatment depends on the stage of cancer. Sometimes biopsy can remove all the cancer tissues when the cancer is small and limited to the surface of the skin. Some of the common skin cancer treatments are:
- Cryotherapy: The dermatologist, with the help of liquid nitrogen, freezes the cancer. The dead cancer cells are disposed of after the treatment.
- Excisional Surgery: When the tumor is removed by the dermatologist and the surroundings of healthy skin too, to be sure all the cancer is gone.
- Mohs Surgery: The surgeon removes the infected tissue and saves as much surrounding normal tissue as possible.
- Curettage and Electrodesiccation: A sharp, looped-edge instrument is used to remove cancer cells while scrapping across the tumor. Then an electric needle is used to destroy the remaining cancer cells. Doctors might use this to treat basal and squamous cell cancers and precancerous skin tumors.
- Chemotherapy: When the oncologist uses medications to kill cancer cells. Many anticancer medicines can be applied directly to the skin, which is also called topical chemotherapy.
- Immunotherapy: When the doctor gives medication to train the immune system to kill the cancer cells.
- Radiation Therapy: When a radiation oncologist uses strong beams of energy or radiation to kill the cancer cells. or else keep them from growing and dividing.
- Photodynamic Therapy: When the patient’s skin is coated with medication, activated with blue or red fluorescent light, and kills precancerous cells, leaving normal cells alone.
Skin Cancer Treatment in India
Skin cancer treatment in India has been rapidly evolving and increasing with numerous options available for patients. India boasts a strong healthcare system, with excellent hospitals that offer many advanced treatments. These Hospitals are fully equipped with first-class infrastructure and advanced technology. Some of the best skin cancer treatment hospitals in India are:
- Medanta Medicity Gurugram
- Max Super Specialist Hospital, New Delhi
- Artemis Hospital, Gurugram
- Fortis Hospital, Noida
- Jaypee Hospital, Noida
Many surgeons are skilled in surgical oncology and provide dedicated personal monitoring and care before and after skin cancer treatment and carefully perform all the procedures. The best skin cancer oncologists in India are:
- Dr. Amita Mahajan, Apollo Hospital, Delhi
- Dr. Kapil Kumar, Fortis Hospital, Delhi
- Dr. Subodh Chandra Pande, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram
- Dr. Harit Chaturvedi, Max Healthcare Hospital, New Delhi
- Dr. Sandeep Kumar Jain, Jaypee Hospital, Delhi
The skin cancer treatment cost in India is relatively affordable compared to other developed countries, making it an attractive spot for international patients seeking quality, and the skin cancer treatment success rate from early stages is very high. India’s advanced medical infrastructure, skilled doctors, and patient-centric approach have made it a suitable spot for skin cancer treatment.
Conclusion
Skin cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer are serious diseases, but early detection and treatments have significantly improved outcomes. It is important to be aware of signs and symptoms, and practice preventive measures such as sun safety, healthy diet, and regular exercise, and undergo regular screenings to prevent or early detect these diseases. Our cancer treatment hospitals offer advanced treatment options such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and many more, which has led to a rising success rate in treating skin cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer treatment in india. The cost of cancer treatment in India is way more affordable compared to other developed countries. India's healthcare system is fully equipped and provides quality care, enhancing quality of life, and improving outcomes for patients with skin cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and other types of cancer. Medheal Global helps you understand the process of skin cancer treatment and provides you with end-to-end patient and doctor coordination, medical visas, and post-surgery support.