Treatment details for skin cancer are essential for patients seeking clear, evidence‑based options that align with their medical needs and personal circumstances. At Liv Hospital, a JCI‑accredited centre in Istanbul, we combine cutting‑edge technology with a multidisciplinary team to deliver individualized care for international patients. Each year, skin cancer accounts for more than one million new cases worldwide, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis and tailored therapy. This page outlines the full spectrum of therapeutic approaches available at our facility, from conventional surgery to the latest immunotherapy regimens, and explains how our coordinated patient services simplify the journey for those traveling from abroad.
Whether you are confronting basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma, understanding the full range of treatment details helps you make informed decisions. Our specialists evaluate tumor characteristics, stage the disease accurately, and then recommend a plan that balances efficacy with quality of life. In the sections below, you will find comprehensive information on surgical techniques, non‑surgical modalities, systemic therapies, and the seamless support system we provide for international visitors.
Skin cancer is not a single disease; it comprises several distinct entities that differ in aggressiveness, prognosis, and therapeutic needs. The most common types are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Accurate staging, based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) criteria, guides the selection of appropriate treatment details and predicts outcomes.
Our multidisciplinary tumor board reviews each case, ensuring that the chosen treatment details reflect the latest clinical guidelines and the patient’s individual health profile.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Surgery remains the cornerstone of curative intent for most skin cancers. At Liv Hospital, we employ a range of surgical techniques, each selected based on tumor size, location, and depth, as well as cosmetic considerations for the patient.
Excisional surgery involves removing the tumor with a margin of healthy tissue. This method is highly effective for BCC and SCC when the lesion is well‑defined. Margins are typically 4–6 mm for BCC and 6–10 mm for SCC.
Mohs surgery offers the highest cure rates for facial and cosmetically sensitive areas. Tissue is removed layer by layer and examined in real time, preserving as much healthy skin as possible. Success rates exceed 99 % for primary BCC and SCC.
When large defects result from excision, reconstructive options such as skin grafts, local flaps, or free tissue transfer are employed to restore function and appearance.
By providing detailed treatment details for each surgical option, our surgeons empower patients to choose the approach that best aligns with their medical and aesthetic goals.
When surgery is not feasible or when additional modalities are needed to achieve optimal control, Liv Hospital offers a suite of non‑surgical treatments. These options can be curative for early lesions or serve as adjuncts to surgical management.
External beam radiation is effective for patients who cannot undergo surgery due to comorbidities or for tumors in anatomically challenging locations. Fractionated schedules (e.g., 30 Gy in 10 fractions) are commonly used for SCC and BCC.
PDT combines a photosensitizing agent with a specific wavelength of light to destroy cancer cells. It is particularly useful for superficial BCC and actinic keratoses, offering excellent cosmetic outcomes.
Topical imiquimod or 5‑fluorouracil creams are prescribed for superficial lesions, providing a non‑invasive alternative with minimal downtime.
Our clinicians integrate these modalities into a comprehensive plan, ensuring that every facet of the treatment details aligns with the patient’s overall health status and preferences.
For advanced or metastatic skin cancers, especially melanoma, systemic therapies have transformed outcomes. Liv Hospital’s oncology team utilizes the latest immunotherapeutic agents and molecularly targeted drugs, guided by genomic profiling.
Checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab block the PD‑1 pathway, reactivating the immune system to recognize and destroy tumor cells. Clinical trials demonstrate overall survival benefits exceeding 30 % in stage IV melanoma.
Patients with BRAF‑mutated melanoma may receive BRAF inhibitors (vemurafenib, dabrafenib) combined with MEK inhibitors (trametinib, cobimetinib) to achieve high response rates and delay resistance.
Before initiating systemic therapy, we perform comprehensive molecular testing to identify actionable mutations. This precision approach ensures that the treatment details are tailored to the tumor’s biology.
By integrating these advanced systemic options into the broader therapeutic algorithm, we provide comprehensive treatment details that address both localized and disseminated disease.
The era of “carpet bombing” the body with toxic chemicals is ending. While traditional chemotherapy is still a powerful tool, Liv Hospital specializes in Smart Medicines.
Cancer cells are clever; they wear a “mask” that tricks your immune system into thinking they are healthy cells (using checkpoints like PD-L1).
This seamless pathway ensures that international patients receive the same high‑quality treatment details and compassionate care as local residents, without the stress of logistical hurdles.
Liv Hospital combines JCI accreditation, a multidisciplinary team of world‑class specialists, and state‑of‑the‑art facilities to deliver exceptional skin cancer care. Our commitment to evidence‑based practice, combined with a dedicated international patient program, ensures that every patient receives personalized, high‑quality treatment in a supportive environment.
Ready to discuss your personalized skin cancer treatment plan? Contact our International Patient Services team today to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward optimal health.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Basal cell carcinoma is usually slow‑growing and rarely metastasizes, while squamous cell carcinoma has a higher risk of spreading and melanoma is the most aggressive form. Staging follows the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) system, ranging from stage 0 (in‑situ) to stage IV (distant metastasis). Early stages (0‑I) often allow local treatments such as excision or Mohs surgery, whereas later stages (II‑IV) may require wider surgical margins, lymph node dissection, radiation, or systemic therapies. Accurate staging guides clinicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment plan and predicting prognosis. Multidisciplinary tumor boards at Liv Hospital review each case to ensure staging aligns with the latest guidelines.
Standard excisional surgery removes the tumor with a safety margin of healthy tissue and is suitable for most BCC and SCC lesions on the trunk or extremities. Mohs micrographic surgery provides the highest cure rates for facial or cosmetically sensitive areas by examining each tissue layer in real time, preserving healthy skin. When large defects remain after excision, reconstructive options—including skin grafts, local flaps, and free tissue transfer—are employed to restore function and appearance. The choice of technique depends on tumor size, location, depth, and patient aesthetic preferences, and all procedures are performed by a multidisciplinary team experienced in skin cancer surgery.
For patients who cannot undergo surgery or need adjunctive treatment, Liv Hospital provides external beam radiation therapy, which is effective for inoperable or anatomically challenging lesions, typically delivered in fractionated doses (e.g., 30 Gy in 10 fractions). Photodynamic therapy combines a photosensitizing drug with a specific light wavelength to destroy superficial cancer cells, making it suitable for superficial BCC and actinic keratoses with excellent cosmetic results. Topical treatments like imiquimod or 5‑fluorouracil creams are prescribed for thin, early‑stage lesions, offering a non‑invasive alternative with minimal downtime. Each modality is selected based on tumor characteristics, patient health, and personal preferences.
Checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab block the PD‑1 pathway, reactivating T‑cells to recognize and destroy melanoma cells, leading to durable responses and improved overall survival in stage IV disease. For patients with BRAF‑mutated melanoma, BRAF inhibitors (e.g., vemurafenib, dabrafenib) are combined with MEK inhibitors (e.g., trametinib, cobimetinib) to achieve rapid tumor shrinkage and delay resistance. Before starting systemic therapy, Liv Hospital performs comprehensive genomic profiling to identify actionable mutations, ensuring a personalized treatment plan. Side‑effect management, including monitoring for fatigue, skin toxicities, endocrine disorders, and colitis, is integrated into the care pathway.
The international patient pathway begins with a dedicated coordinator who serves as a single point of contact, handling visa assistance, travel logistics, and secure transfer of medical records. Upon arrival, patients receive airport pick‑up, transportation to the hospital, and accommodation options near the campus. Interpreter services are available in over 30 languages to ensure clear communication during consultations and procedures. After discharge, the team arranges tele‑medicine appointments, ships prescribed medications, and liaises with the patient’s local physician to maintain continuity of care. This comprehensive support minimizes stress and allows patients to focus on treatment.
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