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Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide, primarily comprising basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The incidence in Asia has been increasing year by year. Most cases can be cured by outpatient surgery; however, if diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the disease may cause local invasion or even metastasis.

Risk Factors

· Sunlight and artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure (the most important risk factor)

· Fair skin and history of recurrent sunburn

· Long-term immunosuppressive therapy

· Advanced age

· Chronic arsenic exposure

· Chronic non-healing ulcers and scars

Etiology

Ultraviolet radiation induces the formation of pyrimidine dimers, leading to TP53 gene mutations, while also causing local immunosuppression. In immunocompromised individuals, inadequate clearance of mutated cells significantly increases the risk of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and other skin cancers.

Symptoms

Basal cell carcinoma often presents as a pearly, translucent nodule with telangiectasia and central ulceration. Squamous cell carcinoma typically appears as a rough, indurated plaque with a verrucous or necrotic, ulcerated surface. Both types predominantly occur on sun-exposed areas such as the head and face.

Treatment Options

  • Surgery: Standard surgical excision and Mohs micrographic surgery ensure negative margins and provide good cosmetic outcomes.
  • Minimally invasive therapies: Cryoablation and photodynamic therapy are suitable for superficial or low-risk lesions; radiofrequency ablation can be used for locally recurrent small nodules; laser ablation is also used for superficial lesions.
  • Radiotherapy and chemotherapy: Radiotherapy is indicated for elderly patients who are not surgical candidates or have positive margins.
  • Targeted and immunotherapy: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are used for locally advanced and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma; Hedgehog pathway inhibitors are used for basal cell carcinoma.
  • Others: Lifelong sun protection and regular skin examinations are core components of long-term management.

Diagnostic Tests and Evaluation

Dermoscopy improves diagnostic accuracy. Full-thickness excisional skin biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Sentinel lymph node biopsy may be considered for high-risk squamous cell carcinoma. Imaging is used in patients with evidence of lymph node or perineural involvement.

MDT Team
Bringing together senior experts in China's precision minimally invasive cancer treatment field to provide you with world-leading minimally invasive cancer treatment services.
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Liao Zhengyin
Liao Zhengyin
Professor, M.D., Chief Physician, Grade 1 Expert⁽¹⁾ in the Oncology Center at West China Hospital, Sichuan University⁽²⁾ , Postdoctoral Fellow, Chinese PLA General Hospitals in Beijing, China⁽³⁾, Senior Visiting Scholar at Johns Hopkins Hospital, USA, A leading figure in Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) for complex and difficult tumors in China⁽⁵⁾
Extremely adept at minimally invasive interventional therapies for tumors and treatment of cancer pain, proficient in radioactive seed implantation, ablation, and vascular intervention, with a focus on liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and bone metastases, and particularly skilled in radioactive seed implantation for refractory cancer pain.
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Zhang Jinshan
Zhang Jinshan
Professor, M.D., Doctoral Supervisor, Chief Physician, Director of the Department of Former Radiological Diagnosis at Chinese PLA General Hospital⁽¹⁾, Ph.D. of Medicine, Nagasaki University, Japan
He is very involved in treating tumors and blood vessel diseases, focusing on less invasive procedures for issues like liver cancer, cirrhotic portal hypertension, Budd–Chiari syndrome, narrowing and blockage of peripheral blood vessels, both benign and malignant tumors, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. He was among the first in China to perform advanced techniques such as TIPSS and B-ORTO, filling multiple domestic gaps in the field. He also pioneered temporary hepatic vein occlusion combined with hepatic arterial embolization for the treatment of liver cancer, led the development of standardized treatment protocols for liver cancer, and has made significant contributions to the advancement of interventional medicine in China.
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Xiao Yueyong
Xiao Yueyong
Professor, M.D., Chief Physician, Doctoral Supervisor, Chief Physician at Department of Radiological Diagnosis of Chinese PLA General Hospital⁽¹⁾
Doctor Xiao has an expertise in the individualised minimally-invasive ablation of solid tumours including liver cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer under the guidance of CT/MRI. Doctor Xiao is proficient in radiofrequency, microwave, cryoablation, and nanoknife ablation technologies, and operates more than thousands of operations annually. Especially, Dr. Xiao has abundant experiences in the precise treatment of the tumours in special anatomical sites such as hepatic hilar region, retroperitoneum, and mediastinal lymph nodes. Further, Dr. Xiao is rather good at combining chemical ablation and seed implantation therapies.
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Hu Xiaokun
Hu Xiaokun
Professor, M.D., Chief Physician, Doctoral Supervisor, Postdoctoral mentor, Deputy Director of the Interventional Medicine Center of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Director of the Qingdao Tumor Interventional Minimally Invasive Technology Innovation Center., Visiting Scholar at Harvard Medical School, USA
Specializes in the treatment of solid tumors, including lung cancer, liver cancer, glioma, and pancreatic cancer, with a particular focus on radioactive iodine-125 seed implantation combined with multimodal ablation techniques such as microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, and irreversible electroporation (NanoKnife). Also possesses extensive experience in the management of non-neoplastic diseases, particularly vertebroplasty and minimally invasive treatments for intervertebral disc disorders.
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Treatment Technologies
Providing targeted, world-class precision treatment solutions for patients worldwide.
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Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)
It is primarily used for the palliative treatment of intermediate to advanced-stage primary liver cancer, liver metastases, and hypervascular tumors in areas such as the head, neck, and lungs. It can also be used as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy to help reduce the risk of local recurrence.
NanoKnife Ablation Technology
It is primarily indicated for solid tumors located in anatomically complex regions adjacent to major blood vessels, bile ducts, pancreatic ducts, the intestines, or nerves—such as locally advanced pancreatic cancer, hilar hepatic tumors, renal hilar tumors, and prostate cancer. This technique offers a safe and effective option for curative or cytoreductive treatment in patients with unresectable lesions or tumors unsuitable for conventional thermal ablation.
Iodine-125 Seed Implantation Technology
It is primarily indicated for solid tumors that are unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, including primary liver cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer, as well as recurrent or metastatic tumors of the head and neck and pelvic regions.
Argon-Helium Knife Ablation Therapy
It is widely used in the treatment of liver cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer, as well as bone and soft tissue tumors. The technique is particularly suitable for lesions adjacent to the thoracic or abdominal wall, adrenal glands, and multiple metastatic tumors, making it an important component of the minimally invasive ablation system for solid tumors.
Patient stories
At UNI-ASIA Cancer Hospital, every journey in search of care is marked by courage and hope, and every story bears witness to doctors and patients working together to overcome disease.
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Mr.Wang
Liver Cancer
Mr.Wang
China
A 71-year-old Chinese patient was diagnosed with liver cancer. Because the tumor was adjacent to major blood vessels and the patient was elderly and physically weak, he visited multiple hospitals over three years and was repeatedly told that surgery was not possible and that he could not tolerate chemotherapy. No effective treatment options remained. After being referred to Uni-Asia Cancer Hospital, he underwent three sessions of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). He recovered smoothly after the procedures, and follow-up examinations showed that the tumor had almost disappeared, achieving clinical cure. He has now returned to his orchard and resumed normal life.
Wang Xiaocai
Lung Cancer
Wang Xiaocai
China
Chinese patient, diagnosed with stage IIIb lung adenocarcinoma with hilar, mediastinal, and cervical lymph node metastasis. Due to the deep and multiple locations of the tumors, and because the patient experienced no subjective symptoms, he feared open surgery and the side effects of chemotherapy and refused conventional treatment. After referral to Uni-Asia Cancer Hospital, he underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of the tumor-feeding arteries. He was able to get out of bed the day after the procedure, recovered well, has since returned to normal life, and is awaiting subsequent cycles of treatment.
Liu Heyi
Liver Cancer
Liu Heyi
China
A Chinese patient was diagnosed with liver cancer accompanied by severe bile duct obstruction, severe systemic jaundice, and a weight loss of nearly 15 kg within one month. His bilirubin level was as high as 257.50 umol/L. Because the tumor was adjacent to major blood vessels, several hospitals assessed that surgical resection would carry an excessively high risk. After being referred to UNI-ASIA Cancer Hospital, he underwent two interventional treatments. He recovered quickly after the procedures, was able to get out of bed the next day, his jaundice subsided, his weight stabilized, and he has now returned to normal life.
Chen De
Bladder Cancer
Chen De
China
A Chinese patient presented with recurrent bladder cancer six years after initial surgery, accompanied by liver metastasis and abdominal aortic thrombosis. The MDT at West China Hospital recommended radical cystectomy, but the patient declined due to concerns about his physical condition. After undergoing interventional therapy at our hospital, his demeanor shifted markedly — from withdrawn and largely silent before treatment to actively engaging in conversation with his family afterward. His pain has lessened, and he now awaits the next cycle of treatment with renewed confidence.

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