Blog 22: Answer 3

What is the best way to treat skin cancer?

Answer 3: Chemotherapy where the cancer cells are attacked by a drug that is either taken internally or applied on the skin.

Evidence:

• The drugs being used are specifically monitored and prepared to kill the cancerous cells in a patient.
• A drug called fluorouracil (5-FU) is used to treat basal cell and squamous cell cancers that are located only on the top layer of the skin.
• A drug called imiquimod is used to treat basal cell cancer that is located only in the top layer of skin.
• Two types of chemotherapy: Injection through the vein or topical cream (also a tablet).
• Only a few drugs (damouth regime) are for stage IV melanoma, usually chemo is for nonmelanoma.

Sources:

• Cancer of the Skin
• Julie Arroyo
• Daniel Rigel