Cancer Skin

Moles, Warts & Skin Tags Removal

Of all types of cancer skin cancer is growing at an alarming rate leaving lung, breast and colorectal and prostate cancers far, far behind. One out of every three new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States is associated with skin. It has been estimated that one million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2007, posing a huge challenge for medical science and scientists.

Skin Cancer

Cancer skin is a malignant growth on the outer layers of the skin, epidermis – clearly visible that makes it detectable at the very early stages of cancer. Skin cancer is often linked to continual sunburns or continuous exposure to sunlight for a longer period. The huge influx of ultraviolet radiation in the atmosphere increases the possibilities of cancer skin.

Types Of Skin Cancer

Cancer of skin can be broadly classified into three-groups – Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and Malignant Melanoma. Other uncommon types of cancer skin include – Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans, Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Kaposi’s Sarcoma.

Basal Cell Carcinoma: This is the most common type of skin cancer and is associated with hereditary factor. It does not scatter throughout the body, rather remains confined to its original place. Surgery or topical chemotherapy helps get rid of Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous Cell Carcinoma occurs on both the outer skin and internal organs.  Greater exposure to the sun and other factors may cause Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Malignant Melanoma: Malignant Melanoma is the most dangerous of all skin cancers. If not treated early, it proves fatal. It is, however, the least prevalent among the different forms of cancer skin.

Symptoms Of Skin Cancer
 
Symptoms help to understand the nature of the disease so that one can seek proper medical guidance before it is too late. The common visible symptoms of cancer skin are sores or incurable changes in the skin, ulcers in the skin, discoloration and changes in existing moles.

Basal Cell Carcinoma: Basal cell carcinoma appears as swollen, smooth, pearly bump on the head, neck or shoulders that is more exposed to sun. Occasionally small blood vessels are visible within the tumor. Crusting and bleeding in the center of the tumor regularly develops, which is misunderstood as incurable sore.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The area of the skin exposed to sun shows signs of reddened scaling and thickened patch formation suggesting that an individual has come under the grip of squamous cell carcinoma. Ulceration and bleeding might occur. The lack of proper treatment may lead to the formation of a large lump in the affected area. 

Malignant Melanoma: Malignant Melanoma may appear in the form of brown to black looking lesions. If the mole starts showing signs of change in size, shape, color or elevation, one must realize the threat of malignant melanoma is knocking door.

Skin Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy and cryotherapy helps to cure cancer skin which are of less risky nature but is not as successful as surgery.

  • Excisions, wherein lesions are eliminated ensuring that the edges (margins) are free of tumor cells, have proved to be effective remedy for both early and high-risk disease.
  • Moh’s Microsurgery removes the smallest quantity of tissue especially when excess skin is limited, in areas such as the face. Moh’s Microsurgery is an effective cosmetic surgery technique.
  • If the cancer of skin has metastasized or spread, it demands further surgical procedures or chemotherapy.

It is very difficult to rule out the possibility of cancer skin, but small things like reducing exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation, wearing protective clothing when outdoors and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiations help to lessen the possibilities of cancer skin.