New Drug Therapies Revolutionize Skin Cancer Treatments

The director of the Skin Cancer Medical Center in Encino, California, Norman Brooks, MD, is a graduate of the University of Colorado. Active in the professional community, Dr. Norman Brooks belongs to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and is a donor to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Just 25 years ago, physicians had no effective tools for treating advanced melanoma. Initial treatment steps included immunotherapies that weren’t very effective at keeping patients alive longer. However, over the last six years, the dermatology field has welcomed multiple targeted therapies and immunotherapies for stage IV melanoma, including nivolumab (OPDIVO®) and pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®). Most patients receiving these new drug treatments live two to three years longer than previous survival rates of patients with advanced melanoma. About 20 percent of these patients realize a five-year survival rate.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug nivolumab as a treatment for stage III melanoma (previously, the drug was approved only for stage IV melanoma). Many dermatologists are viewing this change as a big step forward in the treatment of advanced melanoma. Researchers are moving toward the goal of making advanced-stage melanoma a treatable condition.

Keep Alert for Actinic Keratosis That May Signal Pre-Cancerous Cells

Norman Brooks, MD, is a University of Colorado graduate who completed specialized postdoctoral training in dermatology, Mohs micrographic surgery, and dermatopathology. Currently serving as the director of the Skin Cancer Medical Center in California, Dr. Norman Brooks treats various types of skin cancer with proven techniques. 

When people notice a skin abnormality, it’s not always easy to determine whether it needs medical attention. Don’t ignore potential skin problems that can evolve into a life-threatening disease. For instance, dry scaly patches that persist for more than a few weeks can signal a precancerous skin condition known actinic keratosis (AK). 

Generally developing in sun-exposed areas like the face, ears, and hands, AK patches feel more rough, tender, and itchy than the skin around them. The area also may have a pinkish or yellowish tinge. These patches usually start very small, about a quarter of an inch in diameter, but grow wider. If the dry, itchy area is thick, large, or has a horn shape, a biopsy is generally recommended. If ignored, AK can transform into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a common type of skin cancer. However, AK can be easily treated by freezing the area with liquid nitrogen.