What Are the Treatments for Morphea Basal Cell Cancer?

According to the National Cancer Institute, morphea basal cell cancer is a type of skin cancer that causes small tumors to appear on the face and other parts of the body. Common treatments for this type of cancer are surgery and radiation. The cancer has a high cure rate if it is caught in the early stages. The cancer appears in the form of a red patch or scaly lesion on the skin.

Surgery

• According to the AP John Cancer Research Institute, basal cell cancer usually appears on the head and back of the neck. The Institute says surgical excision is a treatment for morphea basal cell cancer. The area is numbed with local anesthetic, and the cancer is cut away from the skin. The surgeon will usually cut additional pieces of skin on the sides and underneath to be sure that all the cancer was removed. This treatment is very effective, but it does leave behind a huge scar. Laser therapy may also be used to reduce the scar and kill cancer cells.

Radiation

• According to the National Cancer Institute, radiotherapy (radiation) is a logical treatment choice for basal cell cancer. This treatment may be used after surgery to ensure that all the cancer cells are destroyed. Follow-up visits are needed to ensure that the cancer has not come back. This treatment uses radiation waves to kill cancer cells. Radiation is emitted to the target area of skin affected. Normal cells are able to recover from the damage, while cancer cells die off. This treatment can be very successful with follow-up visits.

Cyrosurgery

• According to Medline Plus, another treatment for basal cell cancer is cyrosurgery. Cyrosugery is a surgical treatment to freeze and destroy abnormal tissues. The surgeon injects liquid nitrogen into the tissue, which freezes on contact. This treatment does cause mild stinging and pain, but the recovery time is shorter than standard surgery.

Medical-Grade Creams

• According to the Medicine Net website, morphea basal cell cancer can also be treated with medical-grade creams such as Fluoroplex. The cream kills cancer cells, but several applications are needed over a period of time to eliminate the cancer completely. This cream is an alternative to surgery, but it does come with side effects such as burning and inflammation on the skin.