Because many skin cancers grow in visible areas, there is a significant opportunity of detecting them early. It's vital to check your skin for any new or atypical growths, as well as changes in existing moles, on a regular basis. If you notice anything suspect, go to your primary care physician, a dermatologist (skin doctor), or another health care professional who is trained to spot skin cancer symptoms and diagnose the disease.
A persistent, odd skin growth or sore could be the first sign of non-melanoma skin cancer. A nodule, rash, or uneven patch on the skin's surface may be the first sign of skin cancer. These areas may be elevated and prone to oozing or bleeding. The size or shape of the visible skin mass may alter as the disease progresses, and the cancer may spread to deeper layers of the skin. It can be difficult to tell one type of skin cancer from another, so if you find suspicious or changing marks on your skin, see a dermatologist.
On the head or neck, basal cell carcinomas may show as a light patch of skin or a waxy transparent lump at first. In the middle of the hump, you may notice blood vessels or an indentation. If the cancer spreads to the chest, it may appear as a brownish scar or flesh-colored lesion. If the cancer is wounded, it may bleed or ooze and become crusty in some locations as it progresses.
Squamous cell carcinomas can also appear on the skin as a bump. The surface of these hard lumps is usually rough, as opposed to the smooth and pearly appearance of a basal cell carcinoma. If no nodule forms, the malignancy may manifest as a reddish, scaly patch.
Unlike a skin rash, which fades over time, these rough, lesion-like areas worsen with time. The head, neck, hands, and arms are the most common sites for this type of cancer, but it can also grow in other places, such as the vaginal region, scars, or skin sores.
Merkel cell carcinomas can take the form of elevated, flesh-colored moles that grow swiftly. Small tumors that form on sun-exposed parts of the skin, such as the face, neck, or scalp, are the most common.
Examining for signs and symptoms of skin cancer
Regular skin examinations for new or odd growths, as well as changes in the size, shape, or color of an existing lesion, are critical for detecting and treating skin malignancies early. If you notice anything odd, talk to your primary care physician or a dermatologist about it.
While the majority of skin cancers occur in places that are exposed to the sun, they can also occur in locations that are normally hidden from the sun. It's critical to look into each of these topics. In addition to checking the legs, trunk, arms, face, and neck for symptoms of skin cancer, check the areas between the toes, beneath the nails, palms and soles of the feet, genitals, and even the eyes.
The skin is made up of a number of different cells, many of which are constantly moving. As round basal cells beneath the surface rise to replace dead, flaking squamous cells on the surface, they flatten out. Merkel cells give skin the ability to perceive touch, whereas Melanocytes tan the skin in the sun. These cells may develop into skin cancer if they become injured.
Skin malignancies are all dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible. However, depending on the types of cells involved, skin cancer forms, treatment choices, and prognoses vary greatly. The following are examples of common skin cancers:
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, basal cell carcinoma accounts for more than 80% of the more than 3 million instances of skin cancer identified each year. These malignancies start in the skin's basal cell layer, which is the epidermis's lowest layer.
This type of skin cancer is most common in parts of the skin that are exposed to the sun the most, such as the head and neck. Basal cell tumors grow slowly and seldom spread to surrounding lymph nodes or even to distant parts of the body, which is known as metastasis. However, if left untreated, this can happen, thus early discovery and treatment are critical.
Basal cell cancer that recurs
According to the American Cancer Society, basal cell carcinomas are the most frequent type of skin cancer. These malignancies start in the skin's basal cell layer, at the very bottom of the epidermis.
Patients who have previously experienced basal cell carcinoma are more likely to have recurrent basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell tumors can reoccur in the same spot where they were first discovered or elsewhere in the body. Within five years of the initial diagnosis, up to 50% of cancer patients are projected to have a recurrence of basal cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the skin.
These malignancies are the second most frequent type of non-melanoma skin cancer, accounting for around 20% of all non-melanoma skin cancers. They arise from the flat squamous cells that make up the epidermis, the skin's outermost layer.
This type of skin cancer develops in parts of the skin that have been exposed to the sun, such as the neck, ears, face, or back of the hand, but it can also occur in scars, skin ulcers, or the genital region.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a cancer that develops in the skin cells known as melanocytes, which produce the dark pigment melanin. When exposed to the sun, these cells darken as a defensive response to protect the deeper layers of the skin from the detrimental effects of UV radiation.
Merkel cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the
Merkel cells, along with nerve endings, provide the skin its sensation of touch, and this rare but deadly form of skin cancer originates in them. Merkel cell carcinomas are more common in sun-exposed parts of the body, such as the face and scalp. This type of skin cancer is more likely to develop in those over 50 who have a weakened immune system. Merkel cell carcinomas can spread to other organs.
Stages of skin cancer
The stage, or progression, of the disease is the first step in making an informed treatment option. One of the most crucial variables in determining treatment options is the stage of skin cancer. Skin tumors that aren't melanoma, such as basal cell carcinomas, seldom spread and aren't staged. Squamous cell carcinomas have a somewhat increased likelihood of spreading.
The American Joint Committee on Cancer has created a standardized system for classifying skin cancer stages. This approach enables doctors to determine the stage of a skin cancer and to share that knowledge in a meaningful way with one another.
Stage 0 basal cell carcinoma: Also called carcinoma in situ, cancer discovered in this stage is only present in the epidermis (upper layer of the skin) and has not spread deeper to the dermis.
Stage 1 basal cell carcinoma: In stage 1, the cancer is less than 2 centimeters, about 4/5 of an inch across, has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs, and has one or fewer high-risk features.
Stage 2 basal cell carcinoma: In stage 2, the cancer is larger than 2 centimeters across, and has not spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, or a tumor of any size with 2 or more high-risk features.
Stage 3 basal cell carcinoma: In stage 3, the cancer has spread into facial bones or 1 nearby lymph node, but not to other organs.
Stage 4 basal cell carcinoma: In stage 4, the cancer can be any size and has spread (metastasized) to 1 or more lymph nodes which are larger than 3 cm and may have spread to bones or other organs in the body.