New skin cancer cream could let patients avoid surgery during treatment

Skin cancer surgery may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a radioactive cream developed by Italian scientists that can treat the disease in as little as two hours. According to media reports in recent days, the breakthrough treatment was tested on 700 patients with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, less aggressive forms of skin cancer, with a success rate of 95 percent after one to three applications. While basal cell carcinoma -- caused by exposure to harmful UV rays -- accounts for about 80 percent of skin cancer cases, it isn't metastatic, meaning it doesn't spread to other organs in the body. But treatment usually requires surgery that can leave scars, particularly problematic on the face. LEARN MORE ABOUT SKIN CANCER While trials are currently being held in Germany and Australia, researchers believe that the cream could be available for market within two years. Other nonsurgical treatments already used to treat skin cancer include a light-induced technique called photodynamic therapy (PDT), in which chemical cream is applied to the skin cancer tumor. The Guardian in the UK reports that it is usually suitable for lumps that do not penetrate too deeply into the skin. Source: AFP/Relaxnews