Skin Cancer Treatment at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Juhu
Skin cancer develops when UV exposure, or occasionally other triggers, damages the DNA inside skin cells, causing them to multiply beyond the body's control. It's also one of the more preventable cancers, and one where catching a change early - sometimes a single unusual-looking spot - can make an enormous difference to how straightforward treatment turns out to be. At CritiCare Asia Hospitals, skin cancer treatment in Juhu spans surgical and medical care, built around the type and stage of disease a patient actually has.
Types of Skin Cancer
It isn't a single disease, and the three main types behave differently enough that they call for distinct approaches.
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
is the most common type. It typically shows up as a pearly or waxy bump, or a flat, scar-like patch, most often on sun-exposed skin. It grows slowly and rarely spreads, but left alone, it can still cause significant local damage. - Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
tends to appear as a firm red nodule or a scaly, crusted patch. It's also usually sun-related, though it can occur in unexposed areas too, particularly in people with darker skin. SCC carries a somewhat higher risk of spreading than BCC, which affects how aggressively it gets treated. - Melanoma
is the least common of the three but the most dangerous, given its higher potential to metastasise. It can appear as a new dark spot or as a change within an existing mole. In men, melanoma often develops on the trunk or face; in women, the legs are a more typical site. Because it can also occur on the palms, soles, or under nails - areas rarely checked - it's the type most likely to be missed until later stages.
Rarer forms, including Kaposi's sarcoma and Merkel cell carcinoma, exist too, and are usually linked to a weakened immune system rather than sun exposure alone.
Warning signs of Skin Cancer and the ABCDE rule
For melanoma specifically, dermatologists use a simple framework to flag concerning moles:
- Asymmetry — one half doesn't match the other
- Border — edges that are irregular, notched, or blurred rather than smooth
- Colour — uneven shading, or multiple colours within one spot
- Diameter — larger than about 6mm, roughly the size of a pencil eraser
- Evolving — any change in size, shape, colour, or sensation over time
For BCC and SCC, the signs are usually more direct: a sore that bleeds and doesn't heal, a bump that keeps growing, or a patch that feels different from the skin around it. Consult skin cancer specialists in Juhu at CritiCare Asia Hospitals for further diagnosis and care.
Who is at Risk of Skin Cancer?
Cumulative sun exposure over a lifetime is the biggest driver of skin cancer risk, but it isn't the only one. Fair skin and a lower Fitzpatrick phototype mean less natural melanin protection. A history of sunburns - especially blistering ones in childhood - leaves a lasting mark on skin cell DNA. Family history matters too, as does a personal history of skin cancer already treated once. Immunosuppression, whether from HIV, organ transplant medication, or another cause, weakens the body's ability to catch and clear abnormal cells before they progress.
How is Skin Cancer Diagnosed?
A suspicious spot usually starts with dermatoscopy - a magnified, illuminated examination that lets a dermatologist look past the surface of a lesion. Where a biopsy confirms cancer, the sample also determines the specific type and depth, both of which shape the treatment plan that follows. For melanoma in particular, sentinel lymph node biopsy may be recommended to check whether cancer cells have begun to spread beyond the original site - a key factor in accurate staging. Consult the best oncologists in Mumbai at CritiCare Asia Hospitals for advanced skin cancer care.
Treatment options for Skin Cancer
Surgical excision remains the primary treatment for most skin cancers, removing the tumour along with a margin of healthy tissue around it. Mohs surgery, where offered, takes a more precise approach for larger or recurrent tumours in cosmetically sensitive areas like the nose or ears - the surgeon removes and examines tissue layer by layer until no cancer cells remain, sparing as much healthy skin as possible. Superficial basal cell carcinomas sometimes respond to topical therapies alone, avoiding surgery altogether. Advanced or metastatic melanoma is treated with skin cancer chemotherapy/immunotherapy, and targeted therapy has become central to treatment rather than an afterthought to surgery.
Prevention Measures for Skin Cancer
It's unusual among cancers in how much of the risk is within a patient's control. A few habits make a measurable difference:
- Avoid direct sun between 10 am and 4 pm, when UV radiation peaks - even on cloudy days
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours when outdoors
- Wear tightly woven, dark clothing that covers arms and legs, along with a broad-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses
- Treat sun protection as a year-round habit, not a summer one
Skin Cancer Treatment at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Juhu
Skin cancer, caught early, is among the more treatable cancers - which is exactly why an unusual mole or a sore that won't heal shouldn't wait for a routine check-up. The team at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Juhu combines dermatological evaluation with skin cancer surgery in Juhu and medical expertise needed to treat skin cancer at any stage, from a straightforward excision to coordinated care for advanced disease. If you've noticed a change in your skin that concerns you, book a consultation with our team to get it looked at properly.