Oncologic dermatology deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of skin tumours. The most common lesions include actinic keratoses, basal cell carcinoma (very frequent but usually less aggressive), squamous cell carcinoma, typically associated with long-term sun exposure, and cutaneous melanoma, a malignant tumour with rising incidence and metastatic potential.
Prevention relies on healthy lifestyle habits, appropriate sun protection of exposed areas, careful assessment of skin phototype (fair skin types being more susceptible) and attention to any family history of skin cancer. Protecting children’s skin from sunburn is crucial, as intense UV exposure in childhood is a major risk factor for melanoma in adult life.
Diagnosis is based on clinical examination, handheld dermoscopy, digital videodermoscopy and, in selected cases, confocal microscopy, which allows high-resolution, quasi-in vivo evaluation and helps reduce unnecessary biopsies. Histopathological examination of surgically removed tissue remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis.
Therapeutic perspectives
At MAVIT, treatment is tailored to each case according to lesion type, site, size and thickness. Surgical excision under local anaesthesia with histological analysis is the reference treatment for most skin cancers. For actinic keratoses and selected superficial epithelial tumours, conservative options can be used, such as topical chemotherapeutic creams, liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, diathermocoagulation, CO₂ laser and photodynamic therapy; radiotherapy may be considered in specific situations. The overall goal is to achieve optimal oncologic control while preserving function and obtaining the best possible cosmetic outcome.
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