Comparison of different procedures for the treatment of benign and malignant skin tumours

Summary

Benign and malignant tumours of the skin comprise a large variety of nevi, malformations and tumour entities, among which non-melanoma skin cancer, as well as malignant melanoma and its respective precursor lesions, are the most important. Most of the more common superficial benign and smaller skin tumours can be treated using diverse techniques, such as curettage or cryotherapy. Many of the vascular or epithelial nevi and several other benign skin tumours can be selectively destroyed using laser photothermolysis, or removed by circumscribed laser ablation, with excellent results. The major objective in the management of malignant skin tumours is early recognition and elimination of potential precursors, or initial tumour lesions. The latest preventive strategies include laser resurfacing of large actinically-damaged skin areas. Some of the premalignant (e.g. actinic keratosis) or in-situ tumours (e.g. Bowen's disease), as well as certain superficial basal cell carcinomas, can be cured by diverse surface-destructive techniques, such as cryotherapy, laser ablation, or topical photodynamic therapy. However, surgical removal remains the treatment of choice in pigmented lesions prone to malignant transformation, in most types of invasive tumour growth and in all cases where a histological confirmation of diagnosis or control of complete eradication is necessary for effective cure.

Keywords:

• skin tumours
• surgery
• laser ablation
• selective photothermolysis