Skin Cancer usually locally developed malignant growth originated from the superficial skin layer, epidermis due to excessive UV ray exposure (sun ray). However, skin cancer can occur on the skin without getting sun exposure also. Avoidance of sun exposure helps to reduce the risk of skin cancer. It is also suggested that precise clinical testing requirements for any suspicious changes on skin require identifying skin cancer at an early stage. Early detection of skin cancer improves treatment outcomes. Skin cancer is primarily classified into three types – basal carcinoma, squamous carcinoma, and melanoma.
- Face and neck where sun exposure is maximum usually affected with basal carcinoma. Waxy bump, brown or fleshy flat scar or skin lesion, or repeated recurrence of skin sores from which bleeding or scabbing occurs.
- Squamous carcinoma usually occurs on sun-exposed skin parts like the face, hand, ear. But darker skin populations usually have squamous carcinoma at the less sun-exposed skin area. A red, firm nodule or flat, scaly, or crusted surfaced lesions are common symptoms of squamous cancer.
- Melanoma occurs in any skin tone. It can affect normal skin or skin on which moles are existing. The red, blue, pink, white, or blue-black skin lesions with irregular borders occur. These lesions are painful or itchy. A brownish spot with dark speckles can also occur. Unexplained shape, and size of the skin moles have changed.
- Apart from the above-mentioned three most common types of skin cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma is rare skin cancer. This type of skin cancer causes glossy and firm nodules that develop at the skin surface or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. Head, neck, and trunk are the areas where Merkel cell carcinoma often develops.
Skin cancer medications
Medication for Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Aldara (Imiquimod): This medicine is usually prescribed for immunocompetent adults.
- Efudex (Fluorouracil–Topical): This medicine is applied superficially and usually prescribed when other conventional treatments unable to treat basal cell carcinoma.
- Erivedge (Vismodegib): It is prescribed for adults suffering from metastatic basal cell carcinoma and spread the disease to other parts of the body. This medicine is also used for locally advanced stage basal cell carcinoma or in case of recurrence after surgical intervention and radiation therapy cannot be possible.
- Odomzo: This medicine used for locally advanced stage basal cell carcinoma or in case of recurrence after surgical intervention and radiation therapy cannot be possible.
Medication for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Cemiplimab-rwlc: It is prescribed for adults suffering from metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma and spread the disease to other parts of the body. This medicine is also used for locally advanced stage squamous Cell Carcinoma. Or in case of surgical intervention and/ or radiation therapy unable to treat the condition.
- Keytruda (Pembrolizumab): It is prescribed for adults suffering from metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. This medicine is also used for recurrent cancer condition and cannot be treated through surgical intervention and radiation therapy cannot be possible.
Medication for Melanoma
- Aldesleukin is prescribed for adults suffering from metastatic melanoma.
- Cobimetinib is prescribed for adults suffering from metastatic melanoma or cannot be treated by surgery. This medicine is also prescribed for BRAF gene mutation involved in melanoma.
- Dabrafenib alone or in combination with trametinib is prescribed for adults suffering from metastatic melanoma or cannot be treated by surgery. Combination treatment is always preferable for patients whose cancer has spread in the lymph node after surgery.
- Dacarbazine is prescribed for patients who are suffering from metastatic melanoma and cancer spread to other body part/s.
- Recombinant Interferon Alfa-2b is used as adjuvant therapy for adult patients with melanoma carcinoma who have a high risk of recurrent condition after surgical intervention.
- Ipilimumab is used as adjuvant therapy after surgical intervention for patients to remove melanoma carcinoma or lymph node. Ipilimumab is also used for adults and children above 12 years of age with melanoma carcinoma whose condition cannot be treated with surgical intervention.
- Keytruda is prescribed for adults suffering from metastatic melanoma or cannot be treated by surgery or spread in the lymph nodes.
- Nivolumab is prescribed for patients whose cancer has spread in the lymph node after surgery or metastatic melanoma. Often prescribed in combination with Ipilimumab.
- Peginterferon Alfa-2b is used for a patient whose melanoma carcinoma spread to lymph nodes after surgical intervention.
- Pembrolizumab is prescribed to adults with metastatic melanoma or cannot be treated by surgery.
- Talimogene Laherparepvec is prescribed for adults suffering from melanoma occurs in skin and lymph node or cannot be treated by surgery. Or in case of recurrence.
- Trametinib is prescribed for patients who are suffering from metastatic melanoma spread to lymph nodes which cannot be treated by surgery.
- Vemurafenib is prescribed for patients who are suffering from metastatic melanoma and cannot be treated by surgery.
Medication for Merkel Cell Carcinoma
- Avelumab is also used for adults and children above 12 years of age with metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma whose condition cannot be treated with surgical intervention.
- Pembrolizumab is prescribed for patients who are suffering from Merkel Cell Carcinoma spread to lymph nodes which cannot be treated by surgery.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20377605
