Skin Cancer And Sarcoma Surgery

Introduction

Skin cancer and sarcoma are types of cancers that affect the skin and soft tissues, respectively. Skin cancer typically develops in the outer layer of the skin, while sarcoma affects the soft tissues, such as muscles, fat, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Surgery is often a primary treatment option for removing skin cancer and sarcoma tumors and may be combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

What are skin cancer and sarcoma?

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells, usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and deep skin tissues. Both skin cancer and sarcoma can occur at any age but are more common in older adults.

Skin cancer includes various types such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, each with different characteristics and treatment approaches. Sarcoma can also be classified into different subtypes based on the type of tissue affected and its characteristics.

Types of skin cancer and sarcoma

Common types of skin cancer and sarcoma include:

  • Skin Cancer:
    • Basal Cell Carcinoma
    • Squamous Cell Carcinoma
    • Melanoma
  • Sarcoma:
    • Soft Tissue Sarcoma
    • Osteosarcoma
    • Ewing Sarcoma
Surgical treatment for skin cancer and sarcoma

Surgical procedures for skin cancer and sarcoma involve:

  • Excisional biopsy: Removal of the entire tumor for examination under a microscope.
  • Wide local excision: Removal of the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal.
  • Mohs surgery: Removal of skin cancer layer by layer, examining each layer under a microscope until no cancer cells are detected.
  • Limb-sparing surgery: Removal of sarcoma tumors while preserving limb function and appearance.
  • Amputation: Removal of the affected limb in cases where limb-sparing surgery is not feasible.

Stages of skin cancer and sarcoma

Skin cancer and sarcoma are staged based on the size and extent of the tumor, as well as whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body. The stages may include:

  • Stage 0: Cancer is limited to the surface layer of the skin or soft tissues and has not invaded deeper layers.
  • Stage I to IV: Increasing severity of cancer, with higher stages indicating larger tumors, involvement of nearby lymph nodes, or metastasis to distant organs.