According to the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (AEDV), skin cancer is the most numerous of all cancers. Now that we are in summer we must be especially careful with sun exposure, always using protection and avoiding sunbathing in the central hours of the day.
Why is a multidisciplinary unit important to deal with skin cancer?
Patients treated in a melanoma unit must be attended by a multidisciplinary team of specialists in Oncology, Dermatology, Anatomopathology, radiotherapy, General Surgery, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, as well as nursing staff. This team will make it easier for patients to undergo all the tests and receive the necessary treatments in a coordinated manner in the same place and in the shortest possible time, without having to travel and organize visits with the different specialists separately.
Importance of detecting skin cancer early, when to see a specialist?
Any spot or lesion on the skin requires a consultation with a dermatology specialist. Special attention should be paid to whether it complies with the ABCD rule:
- Asymmetrical (A)
- Irregular edges (B)
- Dark in color (C)
- More than five millimeters in diameter (D)
Although in many cases it will not mean that it is melanoma, any of these signs should be considered as a warning sign and will allow an early diagnosis, which will facilitate the success of the treatment.
On the other hand, it is also important to consult a specialist if the spot or lesion on the skin bleeds, itches or grows rapidly.
Are there people with a greater predisposition to skin cancer?
Although melanoma and other skin tumors can affect anyone, regardless of their skin type, there are groups of people who should take extreme precautions. People with very fair skin and who are sensitive to the sun, as well as those who have many freckles or spots on their skin should be especially careful, as they are at greater risk of developing cancerous lesions.
How can skin cancer be diagnosed quickly?
The diagnosis of skin cancer consists of a visual examination of the lesion by the dermatologist. If this confirms that the patient may have skin cancer, the specialist will recommend a biopsy (taking a sample of cells from the skin lesion for analysis).
Then the specialist in Anatomical Pathology will analyze the extracted cells to analyze in depth whether it is cancer or not. If it is not, the specialist in Dermatology will advise the patient the best measures to take. If the result is melanoma, the patient will be treated by a specialist in General Surgery and the specialist in Oncology, an expert in skin cancer. In some cases extra imaging tests will be recommended to see if the cancer has spread to other organs. It can also be complemented with a blood test to see its progress.
At IOB – Institute of Oncology they have a rapid diagnostic circuit that allows to know the results in 48-72h from the moment the patient comes to consult for suspected melanoma.
Treatment of skin cancer: importance of personalizing therapy
Most skin cancers are removed surgically. In addition, their cure rate is very high in many cases, without the need for radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
In melanoma, treatment usually begins with surgery to remove the tumor. Depending on the thickness of the lesion on the skin, the nearby lymph nodes will also be analyzed to check for tumor cells. Depending on the results of the lymph nodes analyzed, as well as the imaging tests and blood tests, the oncologist will decide on the most appropriate treatment for each patient. This may include radiotherapy or pharmacological treatment, which can sometimes last for a year.
IOB is a pioneer in the introduction of genetic analysis to identify patients who could benefit from new drugs that specifically target tumors with alterations in the B-RAF gene.
Once treatment is completed, follow-up will depend on the patient and the extent of the melanoma at the time of diagnosis. Normally the patient’s evolution is followed up with a visit every three months during the first three years. After that, follow-up visits will be twice a year.