ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of therapies used for non-melanoma skin neoplasms apart from surgical excision and radiotherapy. Many of these treatments, such as cryosurgery, topical treatments, curettage and electrodessication and photodynamic therapy are commonly utilized for low-risk, superficial or in situ keratinocyte cancers (basal cell carcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas). Laser therapies including ablative and non-ablative lasers have also been used in some centres to treat keratinocyte cancers. For more invasive or high-risk keratinocyte cancers or other neoplasms, such as Merkel cell carcinoma or cutaneous sarcomas, surgical excision, radiotherapy and/or systemic or immunotherapies remain the recommended treatment modalities unless contraindicated or declined by the patient.
Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is commonly treated with topical treatments such as steroids, nitrogen mustard, or retinoids. Phototherapy, including ultraviolet-B phototherapy or photochemotherapy (PUVA) is a common treatment modality for early -MF.
Administration of intralesional chemotherapeutic agents with or without the use of electrodes (electrochemotherapy), and intralesional interferons, have been used to treat primary or metastatic keratinocyte cancers, Kaposi’s sarcoma, cutaneous lymphomas, dermatofibroma protuberans and Merkel cell carcinoma.
