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Skin Cancer
- Days In Hospital 10 days
- Outside Hospital Stay 30 days
- Success Rate %
Minimum Cost
$ 1800
Maximum Cost.
$ 4000
Overview of Skin Cancer in India
Skin cancers arise when skin cells are produced without control. Abnormal skin cells are those that grow in this manner. UV rays from the sun are the leading cause of Skin Cancers; however, skin cancer can occur on parts of the skin that have not been frequently exposed to the sun or its UV rays. Areas of the skin that have had regular exposure to sunlight (face, scalp, neck and the ears, arms, legs and the lips) are at greater risk of developing Skin Cancer than those areas that do not have regular exposure. There are many types of Skin Cancer and the prognosis for successful treatment of the disease increases dramatically the earlier it is detected and treated.
Regardless of skin tone, people of all skin colors can get skin cancer. The presentation of skin cancer differs from type to type. Skin Cancer has two main causes: alterations to the genetic (DNA) structure or the build-up of toxic compounds in the body. Skin Cancer may also develop in those who have an impaired ability to defend their bodies from illness (i.e., people with compromised immune systems). There are many treatments for skin cancer, and the treatment chosen will depend on the severity of the case and the type of skin cancer. Fast-growing skin cancers may require a multi-faceted approach to treatment.
What Is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow within your skin tissue. The process of skin cell lifespan occurs throughout life with the natural death of a normal cell being replaced with a new cell that has been produced from a mature skin stem cell. If this normal cell cycle is interrupted by an event such as excess exposure to UV radiation, for example from the sun, then the survival of an abnormal skin cell may be prolonged, resulting in the formation of more abnormal cells than normal.
Some of these abnormal skin cells may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). In the event that malignant skin cells are allowed to remain untreated in the body, they may progress into a more aggressive form, which may also lead to metastasis (spreading) to other parts of the body.
In most cases, if a skin cancer is diagnosed and treated promptly, it is curable, and therefore the importance of seeking out medical attention at the first sign of symptoms is vital.
Types of Skin Cancer:
Skin cancer comes in three primary forms:
- Basal cell carcinoma develops in the basal cells of the lower epidermis, which is the skin's outermost layer.
- Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the squamous cells that make up your skin's outer layer.
- Melanocytes are the cells that give rise to melanoma. Melanin, a brown pigment that gives your skin its colour and shields it from some of the sun's harmful UV rays, is produced by melanocytes. Because it can spread to other parts of your body, this kind of skin cancer is the most dangerous.
Other forms of skin cancer consist of:
- Kaposi sarcoma.
- Merkel cell carcinoma.
- Sebaceous gland carcinoma.
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
Procedure:
Chemical Peeling
Trichloroacetic Acid is applied to repair superficial damage to the skin and remove the upper layer. The skin will typically re-grow back to normal appearance within a few weeks.
Cryosurgery
Liquid Nitrogen is applied to the tumor on the surface of the skin, freezing the lesion. The lesion will eventually fall off on its own, but it will be swollen and red until the skin recedes after a few days.
Curettage and Electrodesiccation
A Curette (a small sharp, circular blade) is used to remove the lesion, then the area is electrically cauterized to kill any remaining infection.
Excisional Surgery
In Excisional Surgery, the Physician will remove the entire tumor and an adequate amount of healthy surrounding tissue (the "safety margin"). The lab will then verify if any cancer cells are present in the tissue that was cut away from the safety margin, and only then will the physician certify the patient as being cancer-free.
Laser Surgery
Ablative laser technology is primarily useful for excising tissue without producing blood. The use of laser technology grants an enhanced degree of control over the amount of the tissue that will be excised by the surgeon during the treatment.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a surgical technique used when it is especially important to maintain normal tissue. It is also used when the advancing edges of the lesion are difficult to define or when lesions recur shortly after being removed surgically. In Mohs Surgery, the first layer of the tumor is excised; the excised tissue is then examined microscopically for any remaining microscopic tumor cells. If any residual microscopic cells are seen, the surgeon excises another layer of tissue to include those cells, and this “layering” of Mohs surgery continues until there are no remaining tumor cells.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic Therapy involves the application of a photo-sensitizing drug to a tumor. After several hours, the skin absorbs the photo-sensitizing drug; a potent red or blue laser is then utilized to destroy the lesion through the activation of the location where the photo-sensitizing drug was absorbed into the skin.
Radiation Treatment for Cancer
Radiation treatment uses X-ray beams, directed at the body, to destroy cancerous tumours. Radiation treatment is also used when it is excessively difficult to remove the tumours surgically, or in patients whose immune systems are suppressed and will not respond as effectively to surgery.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy consists of medications which kill the cancer cells. Chemotherapy prevents the growth of the tumours and destroys the cancer cells. Chemotherapy is used when the cancer has reached the most advanced stages.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of medicine that increases the immunity of the patient. The immunotherapy medication helps the body's immune system fight against cancer. Immunotherapy works for certain types of skin cancer.
Targeted Drug Therapies
The targeted drug therapies are specifically designed to destroy specific proteins that promote the growth of cancer cells. Targeted therapies provide a very effective means of treatment and significantly reduce the likelihood of damage to normal cells.
Best Doctors in India
Cost of Skin Cancer in India
In India, the price range for skin cancer therapy is between 1800 and 3500 USD. Depending on the type of skin cancer and the complexity of each patient, the cost may change. The price may also change depending on the hospital's amenities.
Top Hospitals in India
Indications of Skin Cancer:
Initially, skin cell cancer can be quite painful and may take the form of a growth that bleeds, oozes, and/or fails to heal, or some other form of discolored skin. Sometimes, minor injury to a "bump" on the skin can also result in bleeding. The bump has a central ulceration, and a raised border around the edges of the bump. The symptoms of skin cancer include:
- A red, pink, or translucent bump(s) on the skin.
- The growth of raised borders around the lesion.
- A reddish patch of skin with a crust or itchiness that can be painful.
- A scar-like appearance that resembles a white or yellow waxy substance with an ill-defined border.
- An open sore that may be present on the skin for weeks.
- Wart-like growths on the skin.
Moles are found on the skin, but most of them are not harmful; it is rare for one to turn into skin cancer. However, when a mole does change into cancerous tissue, it is referred to as melanoma. All individuals should take precautions to monitor their moles for changes in color, symmetry, and other identifiable changes as they develop. Therefore, it is necessary to have an abnormal mole evaluated by a physician or a dermatologist.
Skin Cancer Causes
The immune system or genetic mutation repair mechanisms typically regulate the development of skin cancer; however, when these mechanisms are compromised, malignant cells often develop into tumours. Frequently, the major causes of skin cancer are:
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation - Prolonged exposure to sunlight damages the DNA cells of the body over time and alters the DNA cell permanently. In addition to UV radiation from the sun, tanning beds, sunlamps and solariums also expose the skin to harmful radiation, resulting in skin cancer, sunburn and skin irritation.
Fair skin - An individual who has a lighter complexion, hair, and eyes (blonde, red or light-brown, etc.) is at a greater risk of developing skin cancer than an individual with a darker complexion. Fairer-skinned individuals typically contain less melanin pigment than darker-skinned individuals, making it easier for the sun's rays to damage their skin.
Family history - Family history is another risk factor for skin cancer development. An individual who has a family member who has had melanoma has a significantly higher risk of developing skin cancer than someone whose family has not experienced melanoma.
Age - Generally, the older you become, the greater your risk of developing skin cancer. People over 40 years old are at a significantly higher risk for developing skin cancer.
Long periods of sun exposure - The longer you spend in the sun, the greater the likelihood you will develop skin cancer.
Diagnosis of Skin Cancer Treatment in India
Identification of skin cancer may be performed using several procedures, including:
Clinical Examination
The first step in diagnosing skin cancer is to perform a thorough examination of the patient's skin by a dermatologist or another qualified physician. The dermatologist will look for any signs that indicate that the patient may have skin cancer, as well as the size, shape and texture of the patient's moles that could be indicative of skin cancer. These can all aid in performing a diagnosis.
Dermatoscopy
Dermatoscopes have a built-in light source and can be used by doctors to carefully evaluate the patient's skin for signs of problems. The dermatoscope allows the physician to see an expanded view of the skin and provides the physician with additional descriptive information on the irregularities present on the skin.
Biopsy
The biopsy test is needed to determine whether there are cancer cells in the abnormal skin tissues. The biopsy test includes taking a sample of the tissue and examining it in a laboratory to determine the presence of cancer cells. The biopsy test is helpful in knowing what type of cancer cells may be present. There are three ways to collect a biopsy sample.
- Punch Biopsy – This consists of using a circular instrument to remove a small circular piece of skin.
- Shave Biopsy- The upper layers of the skin are removed (shaved) to collect a sample of the abnormal skin.
- Excisional Biopsy – This involves removing all of the abnormal tissue for further study.
Imaging Tests
Additional imaging studies to determine the extent of cancer in cases of advanced metastatic disease include CT scans and MRIs.
Risk Factors:
Here are some of the risk factors that can affect the chances of developing Skin Cancer:
Sun Exposure
Long-term exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) Rays (sunlight) can increase the risk of skin cancer. The risk is increased when the skin is exposed to UV rays without protection.
Tanning Beds
Tanning beds and lamps produce UV rays. These types of devices have the potential to expose a person to UV rays and therefore will increase their chances of developing skin cancer.
Light Skin Type
Individuals with lighter skin tones (fair skinned) have a higher chance of having skin cancer because of the fewer number of protective chemical layers present in their skin.
Moles
Individuals who have an increased number of moles or atypically shaped moles are at an increased risk for developing skin cancer.
Family History
A person who has a strong family history of skin cancer is at a higher risk for developing this cancer than an individual who does not.
Immunocompromised
A person who has a weakened immune system, due to an illness or medication, may also increase their chances of developing cancer.
Age
The risk of skin cancer rises with age since it is more common in older adults.
Gender
Because skin cancer is more common in men, men are more likely than women to develop it.
Exposure at Work
Skin cancer risk may be increased by some activities that expose workers to radiation or toxins.
Geographical Location
The main risk factor for skin cancer is UV radiation, which can be increased in those who reside in sunny or high-altitude places.
Severe Sunburns
An increased risk of skin cancer in later life can also result from a childhood history of severe sunburns.