Skin Cancer

 

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SKIN CANCER FACTS
• More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this
year.

• Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common forms of skin cancer,
but are easily treated if detected early.

• Current estimates are that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

• Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the
second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.

• Melanoma is increasing faster in females 15-29 years old than males in the same age
group. In females 15-29 years old, the torso is the most common location for developing
melanoma which may be due to high-risk tanning behaviors.

• Melanoma in individuals 10-39 years old is highly curable with five-year survival rates
exceeding 90 percent.

• 1 in 58 men and women will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime. Caucasians
and men over 50 years of age are at a higher risk of developing melanoma than the
general population.

• It is estimated that there will be about 116,500 new cases of melanoma in 2008 – 54,020
noninvasive (in situ) and 62,480 invasive (34,950 men and 27,530 women).

• One American dies of melanoma almost every hour (every 62 minutes). In 2008, 8,420
deaths will be attributed to melanoma – 5,400 men and 3,020 women.

• The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 65,161 people a year worldwide
die from too much sun, mostly from malignant skin cancer.

• More than 75 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.

• The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it
spreads to the lymph nodes is 99 percent.

• In 2004, the total direct cost associated with the treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer
was $1.5 billion.

• The American Cancer Society recommends periodic skin examination as part of any cancer
related check-up depending on a person’s age and gender.

• Individuals with a history of melanoma should have a full body exam at least annually and
perform regular self-exams for new and changing moles.

• Five-year survival rates for regional and distant stage melanomas are 65% and 15%,
respectively.

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Sample options for treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment: ( Costs are rough approximations and treatment options may change)1. Mohs surgery
In office 3-5 hours
$1000 -$2500
Recurrence lowest 1-5%
Gold stardard
Best for any nose BCC

2. Surgical Excision
$400-$900
$100-$120 Pathology charge
Possible extra costs if need re- excision
Margins get rechecked
Slightly higher risk of recurrence than Mohs 5-10%

3. Currettage and Dessicate
Best for lesions below the neck although any area maybe treated this way
$150-$400
higher risk of recurrence in certain areas anatomically
leaves round scar

4. Radiation Therapy
Requires many visits 15-20 daily visits over 3-4 weeks
May have scarring
Best for large areas in older patients who don’t want/ cant have surgery
Cure rate 90-95%
$2000-$3000 rough estimate

5. Aldara cream
$100 – 150$ per month for prescription
requires follow up visits
may require additional surgical procedure, Biopsy etc
No guarantees
Irritating, may bleed, turn red, etc. off label use of RX
Best for NON- Head lesions

6. Efudex cream
$100 – 150$ for prescription
requires follow up visits
may require additional surgical procedure, Biopsy etc
No guarantees
Irritating, may bleed, turn red, etc.
Best for NON- Head lesions

7. Plastic Surgery
$800-$3000 rough estimate / may vary considerably / may add extra hospital charges, labs, etc.
frozen sections
usually in office or surgery center, sometimes outpatient hospital setting

8. Cryotherapy- freezing very deep
Blisters, scabs

9. Mohs with dermatologist and then repair with plastic surgeon