The non-melanoma types of skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma(BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are not life-threatening and are curable if detected on time. However, SCC is more aggressive and tends to spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma, on the other hand, is extremely dangerous, and even though it is rare, it is the cause for most deaths. Hence, one should look for warning signs and symptoms of skin cancer, so that treatment could be administered at an early stage.

1. Diagnosis of skin cancer
While treatment is important, the first requirement is to properly diagnose the condition. A physician generally carries out the following tests for proper diagnosis:

• Examining the skin
  Doctors generally thoroughly examine the skin for signs and symptoms to detect skin cancer. Further tests are carried out to confirm the diagnosis.
• Biopsy of the skin
  A sample of the skin from the affected area is removed for testing. A biopsy helps determine whether the person is suffering from skin cancer and if yes, which type.

2. Treatment methods
The treatment methods for skin cancer depends on the size, type, location, and the severity of the lesions. The cancer that appears on the skin surface can be removed during a biopsy. On the other hand, the following treatments are used if skin cancer spreads beyond the surface.

• Freezing
  In this method, doctors might destroy the precancerous growth or early forms of skin cancer by freezing them with the help of liquid nitrogen. When the frozen cells thaw, they are disposed of.
• Mohs surgery
  They are mainly used when other types of treatments are difficult to administer. It is performed by removing layers of skin until all the cancerous cells are completely removed.
• Excisional surgery
  This method is ideal for any types of skin cancer. In this method, the cancerous tissues, along with the surrounding area of healthy skin, are excised.
• Electrodesiccation and curettage
  In this method, after removing a majority of the cancerous growth, doctors scrape away cancer cell layers with the help of a device called curet. Any further remains of the cancer cells can be removed with the help of an electric needle. As an alternative to this method, sometimes, liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the edges of the area where treatment is applied.
• Radiation
  In this method, high-powered energy beams are used to destroy cancer cells. They are used only if the cancer cannot be removed through surgery.
• Chemotherapy
  Various drugs are administered to kill cancer-affected cells.
• Biological therapy
  The body’s immune system is used to destroy the cancerous cells.
• Photodynamic therapy
  Drugs that make the cancer cells sensitive to light followed by laser rays are used to destroy the cancer cells of the skin.

After determining the stages and types of skin cancer through various medical tests, any of the treatments would be used; this would depend on what the doctor thinks is best.