Diagnosis :
Dermatologist would examine the scalp closely to understand the type of growth and its size and shape. She may use dermascope for getting clear picture of the scalp. Biopsy of the skin scalp is done by removing tiny portion of the tumor/mole and testing it on the lab.
Treatment :
Before starting any treatment your skin doctor would assess the type and position of skin cancer of scalp. She would then find out the stage of cancer to know how far it has advanced. Depending on the above factors your dermatologist would opt for surgery, chemo, radiation or immune therapy.
- Surgery :
If the cancer is mild or moderate and has not spread surgery is the right choice. Excision is the process of removing the cancer causing cells and tumor safely from the scalp after numbing the skin. Moh’s surgery is the mode in which the surgeon would remove the affected skin of the scalp in layers. In this process some of the healthy skin cells are also removed along with cancerous cells. The surgery is performed at different intervals through a microscope to verify the entire cancerous cells are removed. Mild form of BCC or SCC cancer can be treated with curettage in which the surgeon would use a small electric needle to burn the cancerous cells.
- Immunotherapy :
Medications are given to destroy the cancer causing cells and to boost the immune system of the patient. Chemotherapy and radiation is often combined with surgery and is used mostly for advanced stage of skin cancer. Chemo can be done in the form of oral pills, injection or infusion. These drugs travel in the body to kill the cancerous cells totally.
Images, Pics, Photos and Pictures of Skin Cancer On Scalp :
Prognosis :
Skin cancer on scalp can be cured fully if detected early. Outlook depends on the age, health, intensity of cancer and its type and stage. Even patients detected with melanomas are completely cured if treated early. If the cancer has metastasized (moves) to other parts, it is difficult to treat and it can be lethal.
Prevention :
There is no way to prevent skin cancer. But you can reduce the risk by avoiding high rate of sun exposure.