Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer - Overview

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC) is the most common form of skin cancer. Common risk factors linked to the occurrence of NMSC are occupational exposure to chemicals, ultraviolet light exposure, immunosuppresion, human papillomavirus infection, artificial tanning, premalignant skin lesions and inherited skin conditions. The various clinical manifestations of NMSC depend on location and subtype. Management of NMSC includes pathology confirmation, staging and treatment. Retinoid and nicotinamide have been shown to be effective for the prevention of NMSC, primary treatments available for the treatment of NMSC are wide local excision, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), radiotherapy (RT), topical agents (5FU cream) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The choice of definite treatment depends on many factors such as performance status and age of the patient, location and size of the tumor, etc.