Perspective on skin cancer

✍ Scribed by Ashbel C. Williams

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1971
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 413 KB
• Volume: 3
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-4790
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.2930030303

✦ Synopsis

Cutaneous diseases, including cancer, have attracted medical attention since ancient times, skin cancer being the first cancer for whicha cause was demonstrated (by Percivall Pott in 1775). A number of definite physical and chemical causes of skin cancer are now known. The necessity of biopsy for diagnosis is pointed out, and the several present modalities of therapy (surgery, electrosurgery, radiation, cryosurgery, and chemosurgery) are enumerated. The high degree of success of these agents will be enhanced by the further development of topical chemotherapy and immune therapy, both of which have already added a new dimension to the treatment in certain cases. Mention is made of the hospital cancer programs and the importance of the dermatologist's taking part in his hospital's cancer program. A closer liaison between the dermatologist and the surgeon, the radiologist, and the pathologist is urged to bring about more effective therapy. The desirability of an oncologist as a part of every medical school faculty and in every sizable community in order to achieve maximum improvement of medical care for the cancer patient is stressed. Further advances are on the way, and the outlook for the future of cancer control is optimistic.