Non-Invasive Skin Cancer Treatments

Topical Chemotherapy For Skin Cancer Treatment

Basal and squamous cell skin cancers, which not spread to the lymph nodes or other areas of the body, can be treated with non-surgical solutions such as topical chemotherapy. While this treatment is designed to destroy the diseased part of the body tissue, it involves no cuts or incisions in the skin.

During the pre-op consultation, the dermatologist will determine the patient’s candidacy for topical chemotherapy treatment and recommend a customized treatment plan.

Outstanding, poignant, and board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness provides topical chemotherapy to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding communities across the horizon in this section of the Midwest.

Topical Chemotherapy

The goal of chemotherapy is to eliminate cancer cells by using certain drugs. In topical chemotherapy, the anti-cancer medicine is directly placed over the skin, usually in the form of an ointment or cream. In rare cases, the medicine may be administered orally or injected directly into the vein.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)

5-FU is the most commonly used drug in topical treatment of actinic keratoses, as well as some basal and squamous cell skin cancers. The topical treatment is typically applied to the skin one or two times a day for several weeks. If placed directly over the affected areas of the skin, 5-FU will kill tumor cells on or close to the surface of the skin.

However, this treatment cannot reach cancer cells that are deep within the skin layers or those which have spread elsewhere. Therefore, 5-FU is ideally used for superficial skin cancers as well as actinic keratosis, which is a pre-cancerous condition. The drug is applied only to the targeted areas of the skin, and does not spread throughout the body.

Therefore, 5-FU does not cause the same side effects as systemic chemotherapy. But it will make the skin very sensitive and red for a few weeks. To gain relief from these effects, the dermatologist may recommend other topical medications if required. The skin will also become more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, during and after this topical chemotherapy, sun exposure must be avoided for a few weeks to prevent sunburn.

In very rare cases, patients with a condition known as DPD deficiency, may develop serious side effects with 5-FU. Therefore, if a patient experiences side effects or reactions that are beyond what they were told to expect, they should contact the dermatologist.

Diclofenac (Solaraze)

Actinic keratoses may sometimes be treated with a gel containing the drug diclofenac. This drug belongs to the group of drugs known as NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Common drugs in this group include aspirin and ibuprofen. The patient may be required to apply the gel twice a day for two to three months.

Ingenol Mebutate (Picato)

This formulation in gel form is used to treat actinic keratosis, and is known to work faster than other similar treatments. The gel is applied to the affected sites daily for two or three days. Skin reactions to this treatment can be uncomfortable, but they will typically begin to dissipate in about one week after the start of treatment.

Terrific and board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and other cities and communities in this region of the nation for topical chemotherapy.

If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

Find a Dermatologist that can treat your rash in the St. Louis area

Rash Treatments

Rash is a general term used for a range of skin conditions, which are typically marked by an uncomfortable change in the texture, color, and appearance of the skin. Rashes may be triggered by environment factors such as exposure to chemicals, sunlight or certain types of plants as well as internal factors, including medications and allergen exposure.

During the initial consultation, the dermatologist will assess the condition of the rash and advise appropriate treatment. Sagacious, impeccable, and board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness provides treatments for rashes to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding locations.

Treatments

Rashes are usually mild in nature, which can be treated with topical medications. However, sometimes the rashes could be a symptom of more severe skin concerns, including:

Allergic reaction to drugs
Atopic dermatitis
Bacterial infection
Contact dermatitis
Chronic skin conditions such as acne or psoriasis
Fungal infection
Viral infection

Creams and Ointments

Corticosteroid creams and ointments are commonly used when the condition cannot be treated with other topical solutions. These treatments can be significantly potent, and the patient should use them under the supervision of a dermatologist to ensure safe and desirable outcomes.

Immune modulator topical ointments are also now available, which do not contain steroids. These are especially useful when used on a child’s face because they are likely to result in less atrophy. Crisaborole based topical treatments can be used for both kids and adults suffering from mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. This treatment inhibits the inflammation in the skin.

Antibiotics and Antihistamines

Antibiotics may be used to mitigate specific symptoms of the disease. For skin infections and severe rashes, antibiotics may be applied to the skin directly as an ointment, but they are often more effective when taken orally in the form of pills.

Certain types of antihistamines may cause drowsiness, which can be helpful if these medications are taken at bedtime. The patient can have more restful sleep and avoid nighttime scratching of the affected areas. In case of fungal or viral infections, the dermatologist may prescribe specific medications to treat the infection.

Phototherapy

Phototherapy involves the use of UVA or UVB light waves or a combination of the two. In case of mild to moderate dermatitis in older children (above 12 years), the dermatologist may recommend phototherapy. In certain cases, photo-chemotherapy, which combines UV light therapy with a drug called psoralen may also be used.

Other Treatments

If other treatments prove to be ineffective, the dermatologist may prescribe a course of systemic corticosteroids. These drugs are taken orally or injected into muscle instead of direct application to the skin. These medications are typically used only where the patient is resistant to other treatments. The course of treatment will be of a short duration.

Severe cases of atopic dermatitis can also be treated in adults with immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclosporine. These drugs help to restrain the overactive immune system. Stellar, honorable, and board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and other neighborhoods and towns in this part of the country for skin rash treatments.

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in St. Louis

What is Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Treatment?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an innovative procedure to treat superficial skin cancers such as actinic keratoses and a few other types of cancer cells. The procedure involves the use of a photosensitizing molecule in the form a drug and strong light source to activate the administered drug. PDT may also be used to treat certain types of acne.

PDT procedure can be comfortably received at the office of a dermatologist. The procedure is commonly referred to as blue light therapy. Dedicated, fabulous, and board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and nearby areas across the landscape in the gorgeous Midwest for photodynamic therapy.

Steps Involved in PDT

In PDT, the first step is to apply a light sensitizing cream or liquid or an IV drug to the targeted area. In the second step, the treated area is incubated for a period of a few minutes to a few days. The third and final step involves exposing the affected tissue to a particular wavelength of light and then activating the photo sensitizing drug.

PDT is currently an evolving but highly promising treatment. A range of incubation periods, light sensitizing drugs, and light sources are available. But each option has a common goal of selective tissue destruction. A key limitation of the currently available PDT technology is that the tumors to be treated should be close to the skin’s surface for the light therapy to work.

Uses of PDT

PDT is currently being applied in a number of medical fields, including oncology, dermatology, cosmetic surgery, ophthalmology, and oral medicine.

Oncology

PDT is now FDA approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and pre-cancerous changes of Barrett’s esophagus.

Dermatology

PDT is used in dermatology for the treatment of very early, thin skin cancers called actinic keratoses. It is also effective in treating acne, rosacea, thin non-melanoma skin cancers, sun damage, enlarged sebaceous glands, wrinkles, warts, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.

Light Sources

IPL, laser light, LEDs, blue light, red light and even natural sunlight are among PDT light sources. The photo sensitizer drugs are activated using one of the light sources. The light source of the ideal wavelength for a particular condition is directly applied to the targeted tissue for an appropriate amount of time.

How does PDT work?

PDT causes direct injury to the affected cells and tissues in order to eliminate them. This is achieved with an activated oxygen molecule that can injure or destroy the targeted cells around it. The activated oxygen destroys the surrounding abnormal tissue. Once the treated area has healed after photodynamic therapy, the dermatologist will re-examine it to determine whether any additional biopsy or treatment may be necessary.

While some other treatments such as cryotherapy can only treated visible AK lesions, PDT may be a better treatment option because it also destroys the sub-clinical lesions. Multiple treatments of PDT may be necessary to achieve optimal results. Prolific, prudent, and board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and other cities and communities in this region of the country for PDT or blue light therapy.

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

Non-Invasive Skin Cancer Treatments

Monthly Archives: February 2018