Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment
As it is so common, there are lots of different treatment approaches to acne. Most of the time people can treat acne at home without needing a medical provider’s help. When acne is not easily controlled or is bad enough that it produces scars, dermatologists are here to help.
You can use the American Academy of Dermatology's mobile app to help you determine whether Mohs Surgery is right for you.
Superficial Radiation Therapy
Colorado Dermatology Institute in Colorado Springs was the first dermatology clinic to offer Superficial Radiotherapy with the Sensus SRT-100™. Superficial Radiation Therapy is the latest non-invasive, non-melanoma skin cancer treatment option. By delivering a precise and calibrated dose of radiation that penetrates just below the skin’s surface, this amazing non-surgical treatment option delivers a remarkable cure rate—about 95 percent for select Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers.
Superficial Radiation Therapy treatment is painless and only takes a few minutes. The SRT-100™ can be used to treat lesions on the arms, legs, back and trunk, but it works especially well on Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers located on the head and neck. Since the treatment doesn’t require surgery, there’s no discomfort, no downtime, and usually produces a very good cosmetic outcome.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the most effective method to treat the two most common forms of skin cancer, basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. To treat cancers like Basal Cell Cancers and Squamous Cell Cancers, individual layers of cancer tissue are removed and examined under a microscope one at a time until all cancer tissue has been removed. Mohs has the highest cure rates of 97-99% for most cancers treated of any of our treatment modalities.
It is important for the doctors at Colorado Dermatology Institute in Colorado Springs to always be on top of the latest technology and treatment procedures available to our patients, and to bring you options that have a proven record of success. When it comes to skin cancer removal in Southern Colorado, we have you covered!
Treatment Options for Basal and Squamous Cell Cancers
Surgical Option #1 – ED&C
TIME OF ED&C
15 minutes
COST
Lower cost $150-$300
CURE RATE
Lower cure rate compared to other treatments
NUMBING REQUIRED
Yes
SUTURES TYPICALLY USED
No
SCAR FROM EXCISION
Oval or circular cigarette burn looking scar
Surgical Option #2 – Excision
TIME OF EXCISION
30 minutes
COST
Median cost $350-$800
CURE RATE
Intermediate cure rate
NUMBING REQUIRED
Yes
SUTURES TYPICALLY USED
Yes
SCAR FROM EXCISION
Usually a straight line
Surgical Option #3 – MOHS
TIME OF MOHS
1-3 Hours
COST
Higher cost $1,000-$3,000
CURE RATE
Highest cure rate
NUMBING REQUIRED
Yes
SUTURES TYPICALLY USED
Yes
SCAR FROM EXCISION
Variable based off of size and location
NON-Surgical – SRT Procedure
TIME OF SRT PROCEDURE
Multiple 10 minute visits (usually 10-20 total visits)
COST
Higher cost $1,000 to $1,500
CURE RATE
High cure rate
NUMBING REQUIRED
No
SUTURES TYPICALLY USED
No
SCAR FROM EXCISION
Tissue Texture Changes, blood vessels
Helpful resources
- American Academy of Dermatology Appropriate Use Criteria App (Free!)
- Basal Cell Cancers – American Academy of Dermatologys
- Basal Cell Cancers – Mayo Clinic
- Squamous Cell Cancers – American Academy of Dermatology
- Squamous Cell Cancers – Mayo Clinic
- Dermatologists Urge the Public to Take Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Diagnosis Seriously – American Academy of Dermatology