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Skin cancer is the most common of human cancer. It is
estimated that over a million new cases occur annually. The skin is the
largest organ of the human body, serving in both a protective layer and
aesthetic capacity. Skin cancer refers to several types of malignancies that
can occur, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC),
and malignant melanoma. Although the first two types of skin malignancies
are usually more treatable and are often described together as nonmelanoma
skin cancers (NMSC), melanoma is classified as a separate type of cancer
with typically more aggressive behavior and prognosis.
Types of Skin Cancer
Basal cell skin cancer grows slowly. It usually occurs on areas of the skin
that have been in the sun, and it is most common on the face. Basal cell
cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
Squamous cell skin cancer also occurs on parts of the skin that have been in
the sun, but it also may be in places that are not in the sun.
Squamous cell
cancer sometimes spreads to lymph nodes and organs inside the body.
Minor surface skin can cancers care readily treatable by simple surgery, but
if the cancer is allowed to grow, it can penetrate through the layers of
skin and affect the lymphatic system. It may also spread to other parts of
the body (metastasize). Skin cancers which are aggressive, recurrent or
located upon ‘high risk sites’ of the body such as the central face, scalp,
ears, or genitalia, may require more advanced surgical approaches such as
Moh’s micrographic surgery to attain high cure rates.
Signs and Symptoms
There are various symptoms for different skin cancer. These includes sores
or changes in the skin that do not heal, ulcers in the skin or, discoloring
in parts of the skin, and changes in existing moles.
Basal cell carcinoma usually looks like a raised, smooth, pearly bump on the
sun-exposed skin of the head, neck or shoulders. Sometimes small blood
vessels can be seen within the tumor. Crusting and bleeding in the center of
the tumour frequently develops. It is often mistaken for a sore that does
not heal.
Squamous cell carcinoma is commonly a red, scaling, thickened patch on
sun-exposed skin. Ulceration and bleeding may occur. When SCC is not
treated, it may develop into a large mass.
Most malignant melanomas are brown to black looking lesions. Signs that
might indicate a malignant melanoma include change in size, shape, color or
elevation of a mole. The appearance of a new mole during adulthood, or new
pain, itching, ulceration or bleeding of an existing mole should be checked.
Skin cancer is usually not painful but can sometimes be. Checking your skin
for new gorwths or other changes is advisable, but always remember that
changes in the skin are not a sure sign of skin cancer. Still you have to
let your doctor examine any changes to your skin right away for proper
diagnosis and treatment of skin problems.
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