Treatment of skin cancer using multiple modalities.

Physicians concerned with modern treatment of skin cancer should be knowledgeable about the indications and contraindications of the five major modalities available for the treatment of skin cancer: electrosurgery, excision and suture closure surgery, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, and Mohs' chemosurgery. Flexibility in the application of these modalities is important if physicians are to offer patients the best method for the treatment of each skin cancer. Selection of the proper treatment method must take into consideration factors of cell type, size and depth, specific anatomic location, duration, primary or recurrent, single or multiple, degree of sun damage to surrounding skin, and age and general health of the patient. This review seeks to define the relative advantages and disadvantages, as well as indications and contraindications, of these five major modalities. This review also seeks to present relative guidelines for choosing treatment methods, including discussions of the previously mentioned factors.