| -> | | | | treatment where the whole body or the concerned |
| Skin cancer like melanoma is potentially fatal. Hence, it | | | | area is subject to high temperatures to destroy or |
| is imperative that skin cancer treatment is begun | | | | weaken cancer cells. |
| early. Skin cancer treatment may take on the | | | | Photodynamic Therapy |
| conventional form or it may be along the lines of | | | | A relatively new cancer treatment, Photodynamic |
| alternative medicine. Cancer treatment is progressing | | | | Therapy, involves the injection of Photofrin so that |
| rapidly by the day and new treatment methods are | | | | when the cancer cell is subject to a laser beam, the |
| in the pipeline. | | | | drug is triggered into action. This treatment is |
| Conventional skin cancer treatment encompasses a | | | | relatively painless and entails less risks and side |
| range of methods, like: | | | | effects than other treatment forms. |
| Surgery | | | | Steering clear of these harsh methods are the |
| Surgery is the oldest form of treating skin cancer. | | | | alternative forms of cancer treatment like: |
| This treatment involves the removal of the tumor | | | | Nutritional Therapy |
| and some adjacent healthy tissues in order to stem | | | | Here the cancer patient is put on an individualized diet |
| the cancer spread. For some surface-based cancers | | | | in accordance with the specific dietary preferences |
| doctors and surgeons have found skin peels like the | | | | and requirements to counter the ravages wrought by |
| TCA skin peel have been very effective (see the link | | | | the disease and the treatment. |
| below for more info on TCA peels for home use). | | | | Pain management |
| Chemotherapy | | | | Pain management aims to alleviate pain and distress |
| Chemotherapy aims at skin cancer treatment by | | | | either through drugs, surgery or psychotherapy. |
| introducing specific cancer-combating drugs in the | | | | Naturopathy |
| body. These drugs kill the cancer cells by hampering | | | | It is "back to nature" in the realm of cancer |
| their development and regeneration. To counter the | | | | treatment, with natural therapy. Naturopathy is an |
| side effects, chemotherapy is being molded along | | | | herbal treatment, which furthers your body's innate |
| new lines. | | | | ability to heal itself, combining a range of processes. |
| Radiation therapy | | | | Psychoneuroimmunology |
| Radiation therapy uses x-rays to kill the | | | | Another new form of cancer treatment is |
| cancer-causing cells. This therapy can be applied to | | | | Psychoneuroimmunology. It believes that mind can |
| any part of the body. New radiation techniques like | | | | wield enough control over the body to stimulate a |
| External Beam Radiation aim at focusing the radiation | | | | healing process. Thus, this form of treatment engulfs |
| to the cancer cell and away from healthy tissue. | | | | a range of nutritional and medical issues to aid during |
| Immunotherapy | | | | the bodily healing and emotional and cognitive |
| Biotherapy or immunotherapy aims at treating skin | | | | therapies like stress management and humor sessions |
| cancer by enhancing the body's immune system with | | | | to empower the mind. |
| doses of tumor vaccines, interleukin-2, or | | | | Spiritual Support Therapy |
| interferon-alfa. It involves fewer side effects than | | | | Another popular form of skin cancer treatment is |
| other methods. | | | | Spiritual Support Therapy, which takes care of the |
| Hyperthermia | | | | patient's spiritual well being and a regimen of |
| The cancer cell is known to be sensitive to heat. | | | | exercises and massages that forms the Physical |
| Local hyperthermia is one method of cancer | | | | Therapy, designed to abate stress and pain. |