Skin cancer. Recognition and treatment

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology

Background:

• Worldwide incidence of all skin cancers is increasing, especially among Caucasians, linked to heightened sun exposure.
• Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are common, typically benign head and neck tumors in the elderly.
• Malignant melanoma, a potentially early-metastasizing cancer, is a growing concern, necessitating skin screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the therapeutic landscape for various skin cancers.
• To highlight the challenges and emerging treatments for malignant melanoma.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of skin cancer incidence and treatment modalities.
• Discussion of drug therapies for non-melanoma skin cancers and solar keratoses.
• Examination of treatments for malignant melanoma, including arterial limb perfusion and systemic therapies.

Main Results:

• Fluorouracil cream is effective for solar keratoses.
• Retinoids are beneficial for patients with numerous non-melanoma skin lesions.
• Arterial limb perfusion with cytotoxic drugs is a treatment option for malignant melanoma.
• Systemic treatment of metastatic melanoma with cytotoxic agents shows limited response rates and high toxicity.
• Combined therapies involving interferon-alpha, interleukin-2, and cytostatic drugs show promising preliminary outcomes for metastatic melanoma.

Conclusions:

• Surgical excision remains the primary treatment for skin tumors.
• Pharmacological interventions offer valuable therapeutic options for specific skin conditions.
• Emerging combination therapies present a hopeful avenue for managing advanced malignant melanoma, despite current treatment limitations.