Skin Cancer

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The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

This type of skin cancer is slow growing and does not spread to other areas of the body. In general, it is very rare for basal cell carcinoma to lead to death. It is characterized by raised skin, which can usually be reddish and shiny, with itching and possible bleeding.

Squamous cell cancer (SCC)

This type of skin cancer presents as a hard lump and may bleed. It is likely to spread to distant areas of the body, meaning it can metastasize.

Melanomas (MM)

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. It can appear on any body part but is most common in the back, arms, and face.
An easy way to remember the risks of moles developing melanoma is the acronym “ABCDE,” which stands for asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolving. In other words, if a mole has changed in size, shape, and color or is bleeding, then it is likely to develop into melanoma.

Although there is no age restriction for developing this type of cancer, it most often occurs in people aged 40 to 60. In recent years there has been an increase in cases in younger people, likely due to prolonged exposure to sunlight. Additional contributing factors include fair skin, many freckles and moles, and, of course, genetics. Individuals who have undergone chemotherapy and have a compromised immune system are more susceptible to developing melanoma.

Skin cancer: Causes

Various individual and environmental factors cause cancer. These include lifestyle, genes and their multiple disorders, UV radiation, and carcinogens.

For skin cancer, in particular, the causes could be summarized as follows:

Smoking
HPV infection
Genetic syndromes
Presence of nevi larger than 20 mm
Marjolin’s ulcers
Solarium, fair skin, aging
A specific type of medication (e.g., cyclosporine A)

Symptoms and warning signs

Skin cancer begins with small lesions that develop into full-blown malignancies over time if not treated. We could list the most common types, which are closely related to the three types of cancer.

Actinic keratosis

These are small scaly patches on the skin, which usually appear after excessive sun exposure. It is a very early lesion for which we cannot say with certainty if and when it will develop into skin cancer. Most doctors proactively recommend treatment to prevent the development of skin cancer.

Actinic cheilitis

This precancerous condition occurs on the lower lip and is characterized by scaly marks and a rough skin surface. Symptoms include swollen lips and red plaques or marks on the labial ridges. If left untreated, it can lead to squamous cell cancer.

Cutaneous horn

It appears as a small, conical lump that is made of keratin. It varies in size and shade, and squamous cell carcinoma can develop at its base. It occurs in older people with a long-standing history of sun exposure.

Melanoma and dysplastic nevi

Dysplastic moles are not cancer but have a high chance of developing into cancer. They can appear anywhere on the body, including areas not exposed to sunlight. They don’t have a symmetrical shape, and their borders are irregular. They may have a pink, brown or red hue.

Diagnosis

Most doctors recommend a biopsy as the first and primary step to diagnose skin cancer. This includes removing all or part of the skin lesion for a histological examination in the laboratory. This test forms the basis for diagnosis and determines the stage of skin cancer.
Aiding in the diagnosis is dermoscopy.

Mapping should be done to monitor nevi when a patient has a large number of them.

It is imperative that the individual performs self-examination on their skin, especially in places exposed to sunlight. Self-examination should also be performed on the scalp, feet, genitals, and everywhere in general! The best way to check your skin is by using a full-length mirror.

Skin cancer treatment

Skin cancer treatment can be performed with many methods, depending on the type of carcinoma.

Cryotherapy and topical chemotherapy with special ointments are the most common methods for treating small basal cell carcinomas, whereas surgical removal is preferred for larger carcinomas. Of course, all melanomas should be surgically removed.

In general, surgical removal of skin cancer is the most effective treatment. It should be performed by a qualified plastic surgeon to achieve the best and safest removal of the tumor without leaving any residue. The incision is always made in healthy margins, and along with the tumor, a few centimeters of healthy skin are removed for safety precautions.

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FAQ

Who is most often affected by skin cancer?

Everyone is at risk of developing skin cancer. However, people with fair skin or older people are more likely to develop skin cancer.

After skin cancer is removed, what are the chances that it will come back?

A local cancer recurrence is possible if the original tumor has been removed but new tumors develop close to the removal site. People diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma have a higher risk of developing it again. Regular exams can detect skin cancer at its earliest stages and treat it effectively.

Does the use of sunbeds increase a person's risk for skin cancer?

The lamps used in artificial tanning are more powerful than the sun, so they penetrate deep into the skin and lower its natural defenses. Using a solarium does not automatically mean that you will develop skin cancer or melanoma. However, it puts you at an increased risk of developing these diseases compared to people who are careful about sun exposure.

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