Treatment of Skin Cancer

Although skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and presents a consis- tent problem in recognition, in treatment, and in prevention, it usually does not receive as much attention as other more deadly forms of cancer. Nonetheless, a great deal of progress has been made toward understanding its cause and biological behavior as well as toward recognizing and treating early cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions. Today's physicians are more aware of early lesions and patients are seeking their advice on many small skin blemishes. In addition, clinicians are exploring new moda- lities of treatment, including chemotherapy. Some of these methods are very simple and effective for eradicating early lesions, and we are rapidly approaching the time in which the only reasons for a death due to skin cancer will be lack of a patient's cooperation or a physician's error in management. The most important factors in improving the cure rate of skin cancer are a thorough knowledge of its cause and biological behavior and an understanding of the limitations of each modality of treatment.