Treatment options for non-melanoma skin cancer

Non melanoma skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) are becoming more common. There are many treatments including surgical modalities, use of electromagnetic radiations (as in photodynamic therapy), topical and intralesional chemotherapies and immunomodulating treatments. The choice as to how to treat a particular tumour depends not only on features of the tumour but characteristics of the patient and his or her preferences. There are up to date guidelines available that are useful when chosing treatments, but following these guidelines is not always appropriate to the individual. This is a personal review in which the author explains some of the reasons why he recommends one treatment over another in particular situations.