Adam Hefner asked:


Types of skin cancer are named for the specific types of skin cells which mutate, due to UV exposure or natural decay, and begin to reproduce improperly and form cancerous tumors.

Different types of skin cells make up different layers of the skin. The most common cancers are formed in squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes, forming squamous or basal cell carcinoma, or melanoma. Squamous cells are the top layer of the epidermis, the round, flat cells which make up the surface of the skin. Underneath are basal cells which make up the rest of the epidermis, and between the dermis and epidermis are melanocytes, which are the cells which pigment the skin.

For purposes of treatment, skin cancer is separated into two main groups. These are melanoma and nonmelanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and the most common forms of nonmelanoma skin cancers are squamous and basal cell carcinoma. There are other, rarer forms of skin cancer as well, which fall under the nonmelanoma category.

For the most part, methods of prevention are the same for both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Overexposure to UV radiation is a major risk factor, and the sun should be avoided during its midday peak. Protective clothing, or failing that, sunscreen should be worn when out in the sun even under light cloud cover. Getting even one blistering sunburn is a risk factor for skin cancer. Tanning beds are a risk factor specifically for melanoma, even with minimal usage, so you should strictly abstain from their use. If you insist on getting a light tan, doing so under the sun is healthier because melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer can be slightly more difficult to detect, because it may present itself as a rash, wound, or lump that doesn’t properly heal. These irregularities should be looked at by a doctor when detected, and you should regularly check your skin, including your scalp and hard to reach places, as skin cancer is usually painless. Most of the time, it appears on the face or in body parts exposed to sunlight.

Melanoma often appears as a mole-like growth, and existing moles can turn into melanoma. Moles, or nevi, are common benign growths which stem from melanocytes. If you have an unusually high number of nevi or multiple dysplastic nevi, or irregularly-shaped moles, you should take special care to check them for changes. A change in the size, color, shape, or surrounding skin of a mole can signify melanoma.

Both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer should be treated as soon as possible to avoid metastasis. Even in earlier stages of development, especially with melanoma, your doctor may need to remove nearby lymph nodes, as skin cancer tends to spread through the lymphatic system. In early stages, surgery can eliminate a skin tumor, although with melanoma sometimes enough surrounding tissue must be taken that a skin graft is necessary. If additional tumors form in other parts of the body due to metastasis, chemotherapy and additional surgeries may be necessary. This is a particularly serious situation if melanoma spreads.

Different types of skin cancer have a different appearance and slightly different treatments, but early detection is the key to effectively curing any skin cancer.

James S. Pendergraft asked:


These days thousands of cases of skin cancer has been reported. Skin cancer is increasing day by day with the increasing rate. The skin cancer can be defined in three parts. All of these skin cancers are dangerous for he humans. These three skin cancers are as follow:

Melanoma- This is the first amongst three types of skin cancers. This can start with a point that is in the moles and this rapidly spread all over the body and this can lead to the death of the infected person. It is advised that if anyone has moles which have irregular borders and are of multiple colors must get checked through a specialist.

Usually people takes it lightly, some takes it as the season changing effects and some takes it in any other way but this has to be treated well because if this is take n lightly then this can lead to the death of the patient. The moles which are extremely opposite to these that is the moles with the regular borders and with the single colors are out of the reach of the skin cancer threat.

Squamous cell cancer- This is also a very dangerous skin cancer type. This type of skin cancer do not spread regularly as it shows its impact occasionally and when it spreads all over the body it could be much more dangerous that melanoma even. It is again advised that whenever one feels that with a very low speed he is receiving some sorts of infection then he must consult a specialist before it gets uncontrollable.

Basal cell skin cancer- This is the third, last and the most common type of the skin cancer. This type of skin do not spread through body and there are very rare chances that if this spreads from the body also this is the only type of skin cancer which can be cured by the 100% of the lesion. These cancers can not be stopped if they reach their speed and the only way to stop them is to wait until they get through with their entire activity and up to that period the patient will not survive.

Therefore, it is recommended that people must take care of them because if they get trapped by any of this type then this would be very difficult even for the doctor to cure them.

The symptoms for the basal cell skin cancer are that it develops some scaly surface on the area which is usually exposed in the light. There are special creams available to remove this kind of infection which is known as actinic keratosis and the special cream which is advised to remove this is imiquimod. Usually what people do is that they leave that red area as it is and that infection gets enough time to make his own way and this is the reason why the person get trapped by this skin cancer.

Always keep in mind that early detection is your best weapon against any types of cancer.

To Your Health!

Adam Hefner asked:


Skin cancer is generally separated into two main categories, melanoma and nonmelanoma. Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. The nonmelanoma group encompasses all other skin cancers. The two most common forms of nonmelanoma skin cancer, squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma, are named for the squamous or basal cells which become cancerous.

The top layer of skin, the epidermis, is made up of basal and squamous cells. The surface of the skin is made of round, flat squamous cells, and below these are the basal cells. Hair follicles and sweat glands are in the dermis below the epidermis.

Treatment of basal or squamous cell carcinoma is usually very successful with no side effects if caught early enough. Since symptoms first appear on the skin, detection of skin cancer in its earliest stage of development is possible if you recognize it. These common cancers can be surgically removed if they have not advanced, making aggressive therapy unnecessary. The danger is in not recognizing the symptoms and not going to a doctor, or in contracting skin cancer in a place you wouldn’t normally see it and failing to find it before it metastasizes. To avoid this, you should do regular skin self-examinations, checking for any possible skin cancer symptoms. If you find a small lump, rash, or sore which does not heal, you should ask your doctor if it may be skin cancer.

Melanoma is named for the melanocyte cells which give pigment to the skin and can become cancerous. These cells are located between the dermis and epidermis, and can form benign growths known as nevi, or moles. This occurs when the melanocyte cells reproduce too fast or fail to die, and accumulate into harmless growths which do not spread like cancer does. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles throughout their skin, but having a significantly higher number of nevi is a risk factor for melanoma, as is having dysplastic, or irregularly shaped, nevi. If new moles form, or if changes occur in existing moles, especially dysplastic nevi, you should see a doctor because this may be a symptom of melanoma. Watch for any changes in the skin surrounding a mole, or in the size, shape, or color of the mole.

Generally, if you have a skin anomaly which may be skin cancer, your doctor will perform a biopsy. If the possible tumor can be conveniently removed, the doctor will remove it completely and test it for cancer. No further treatment may be necessary; if the cancer has progressed, you may need topical radiation or chemotherapy, the surgical removal of local lymph nodes, or more aggressive treatment if the cancer has metastasized. If it is not treated, wandering cancerous skin cells can travel through the body and create additional tumors in other organs or systems.

Any kind of skin cancer, squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma, or melanoma, should be treated as soon as it is discovered in order to prevent metastasis.

Bertil Hjert asked:


Skin cancer is a dangerous disease. It is important to get it checked as soon as you discover some of the symptoms that indicate skin cancer. However, as the experts have always said, ‘prevention is better than cure.’ You should focus on prevention skin cancer from attacking your skin.

Skin plays a vital role in keeping you healthy. It is the largest organ in your body, and it protects you from potential problems caused by such factors as dehydration, the sun, bacterial infections, and pollution. However, there are limits to the skin’s ability to provide protection. Various factors can cause damage that cannot be repaired. This is how skin cancer may develop.

Most people are unable to treat skin cancer on time because they do not come to know that they have skin cancer. Certain outgrowths, moles and discoloration on the skin are taken as normal skin problems.

Anyone can develop skin cancer. It does not attack any particular age, race or skin type. Certain skin types are more vulnerable to skin cancer as compared to others. People with fair skin, light hair and light eye colour or a large number of moles or freckles are more vulnerable

One of the main causes of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation, or UV rays. UV rays are invisible, and are produced by the sun and tanning lamps. Most often, skin cancer is the result of overexposure to the sun.

Here are the main actions to prevent from cancer:

- Tip 1

Make sure that you protect yourself from the harmful ultra-violet rays of sun. Apply a good sunscreen with high SPF or sun protection factor generously before going out in the sun. Re-apply 15 to 30 minutes after sun exposure begins. You should also re-apply sunscreen after vigorous activity that could remove the product, such as swimming, towelling or excessive sweating and rubbing.

- Tip 2

Do not spend a lot of time outdoors. Arrange your time in the sun for morning or afternoon, and avoid high noon. Dress in dark colours and protective clothing. Also wear good quality sunglasses to protect your eyes and surrounding tissues. Select shaded areas for outdoor activities. Always use sunscreen and lip balm.

Limit exposure to reflective surfaces such as snow, water, concrete and sand. Remember that water activities can increases exposure to reflective UV rays.

- Tip 3

Most people are under a notion that a tanning bed can be safe option. A tanning-bed can be more dangerous than exposing your skin to sun’s rays. Better is to use a sunless tanning lotion. It is available in different varieties for different skin types. Remember that a sunless tan lotion will not provide you SPF protection.

The rule is that the best colour for you is the one you were born with. Keep checking your body regularly for any moles lesions or skin irregulation. See your doctor right away if you notice an abnormally dark or discoloured patches or spots, or bleeding, crusting or change in the colour, size, or shape of a mole.

Adam Hefner asked:


Skin cancer is commonly a result of sunlight exposure. Nearly three-fourths of cases diagnosed each year are caused by this factor. Sometimes it occurs because of frequent exposure, or it may result from a single bad sunburn. Those who experience a bad sunburn may worry about getting skin cancer on the nose.

How is it possible to tell whether the blemish on your nose is skin cancer? Skin cancer lesions differ from other sores or pimples in three primary ways. If, however, you even suspect the possibility of skin cancer, it is important to visit a physician as soon as possible. A certain diagnosis can only be made by surgical biopsy.

Basal skin cancer lesions are different from other sores in that they do not heal. They frequently appear, drain bloody or yellowish fluid, scab over, and then begin to drain again. They primarily appear on areas of the skin that receive frequent sun exposure, such as the face, neck, and upper back.

Squamous cancer tumors may look similar to basal carcinomas. Alternatively, they may be rough, scaly patches of skin that do not go away. If a sore does not disappear after a reasonable period, a physician who can help to determine whether the sore might actually be cancerous skin should evaluate it.

Both basal cell and squamous cell cancers are frequently found in areas exposed to sunlight. Because the skin on the surface of the nose is tender and receives frequent exposure to sunlight, this area of the skin is at greatest risk for developing one of these types of skin cancer. These cancers are very treatable with surgical removal.

Although the face and nose are primarily sites for nonmelanoma cancers, malignant melanomas can also develop on the face in some instances. This form of skin cancer is very deadly once it has spread beyond the primary site. Distinguishing between a melanoma and nonmelanoma can be very difficult, and so it is extremely important to seek early treatment if any kind of skin cancer is suspected.

Juliet Cohen asked:


Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, so a tumor is usually clearly visible. There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinomas and most squamous cell carcinomas are slow growing and highly treatable, especially if found early. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It affects deeper layers of the skin and has the greatest potential to spread to other tissues in the body. Squamous cell carcinoma also can spread internally. It is estimated that over 1 million new cases occur annually. The annual rates of all forms of skin cancer are increasing each year, representing a growing public concern. It has also been estimated that nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common. For localized melanoma, the 5-year survival rate is 99%; survival rates for regional and distant stage diseases are 65% and 15%, respectively.

Skin cancer is an increasingly common condition. This is in part attributed to increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which in turn is thought to be caused by the increased popularity of sun tanning. Solar or actinic keratoses are rough, red or brown, scaly patches on the skin. They are usually found on areas exposed to the sun, and sometimes develop into squamous cell cancer. Moles are clusters of heavily pigmented skin cells, either flat or raised above the skin surface. While most pose no danger, some-particularly large moles present at birth, or those with mottled colors and poorly defined borders-may develop into malignant melanoma. Moles are frequently removed for cosmetic reasons, or because they’re constantly irritated by clothing or jewelry. Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. There are varieties of treatments available, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, to treat skin cancer.

The goals of treatment for skin cancer are to remove all of the cancer, reduce the chance of recurrence, preserve healthy skin tissue, and minimize scarring after surgery. Treatment for skin cancer depends on the type and size of cancer, your age, and your overall health. Surgery is the most common form of treatment. It generally consists of an office or outpatient procedure to remove the lesion and check edges to make sure all the cancer was removed. Most skin cancer removal can be done using a local anesthetic. Excisional biopsy – The entire tumor along with a margin of tissue that is not a visible part of the tumor is removed. Incisional biopsy – A portion of the lesion is removed during an incisional biopsy, which is usually performed when the lesion is large. In cryosurgery, tissue is destroyed by freezing to -40 ° C or below. Liquid nitrogen, the only cryogen effective in destroying malignant and premalignant skin tumors, is used. Radiation may destroy basal and squamous cell carcinomas if surgery isn’t an option. Biological therapy-Interferon and interleukin-2 are under study to treat melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Skin Cancer Treatment Tips

1. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. And 2 p.m. and during the summer months.

2. Excisional skin surgery is a common treatment to remove skin cancer.

3. Mohs surgery (also called Mohs micrographic surgery) is often used for skin cancer. The area of the growth is numbed.

4. Electrodesiccation and curettage is often used to remove small basal cell skin cancers.

5. Cryosurgery is often used for people who are not able to have other types of surgery.

6. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

7. Use a high-factor sunscreen of at least SP᭧ that filters out UVB and UVA and reapply it every two hours.

8. Wear protective clothing - a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and loose, tightly woven clothing

peterhutch asked:


Basal Cell Carcinoma is a very common type of skin disorders but is very dangerous also. Basal cell carcinomas enlarge slowly and steadily and can invade neighboring tissue, like the eye, but they usually do not spread to distant parts of the body (metastasize). Basal cell carcinomas are the result of sun damage to the skin.

Risk factors:

Age. Most skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun′s damaging effects begin at an early age. Therefore, protection should start in childhood in order to prevent skin cancer later in life.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation in tanning booths. Tanning booths are very popular, especially among adolescents, and they even let people who live in cold climates radiate their skin year-round.

Therapeutic radiation, such as that given for treating other forms of cancer.

Causes

Skin cancer is divided into two major groups: non-melanoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer, and is the most common form of cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, 75% of all skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas.

Arsenic exposure: Chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with BCC development. Exposure may be medicinal, occupational, or dietary.

Immunosuppression: Immunosuppression is associated with a modest increase in the risk of BCC.

Xeroderma pigmentosum: This autosomal-recessive disease predisposes people to rapid aging of exposed skin, starting with pigmentary changes and progressing to BCC.

Exams and Tests

Your doctor will check your skin and look at the size, shape, color, and texture of any suspicious areas.

If skin cancer is a possibility, a piece of skin will be removed from the area so that is can be examined under a microscope. This is called a skin biopsy. This must be done to confirm the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma or other skin cancers. There are many types of skin biopsies. The exact procedure depends on the location of the suspected skin cancer.

Treatment

Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs. If a melanoma has spread, chemotherapy can be used, but it is not usually effective. After a melanoma has spread, surgery and radiotherapy can be used on the secondary tumours. This will prolong life but it is not a cure. In the case of disease that has spread (metastasized) further surgical or chemotherapy may be required.

Mohs surgery: Mohs surgery (or Mohns micrographic surgery) is an outpatient procedure in which the tumor is surgically excised and then immediately examined under a microscope. The base and edges are microscopically examined to verify sufficient margins before the surgical repair of the site. If the margins are insufficient, more is removed from the patient until the margins are sufficient. Specially trained dermasurgeons do this procedure, usually in-office. Mohs surgery is the recommended procedure for basal cell carcinoma of the face, ears, hands, fingers, distal forearms, and distal lower extremities. Its use is also highly recommended for squamous cell carcinoma; however, the cure rate is not as high as Mohs surgery for basal cell carcinoma.

Adam Hefner asked:


Sun exposure has been linked for several years with skin cancer. More people are diagnosed with this cancer than with any other. Therefore, it is important to learn about skin cancer symptoms in order to protect yourself and the ones you love.

Skin cancer often appears as a growth on the surface of the skin. Moles or marks that have been present since birth are rarely cancerous. Changes in the appearance of these moles or marks, however, can be a sign of malignancy, and should be evaluated by a physician.

Sometimes skin cancer looks like a sore or pimple that does not heal. These areas may bleed, or seep clear fluid. They may develop scabs, appearing as though they are beginning to heal, but then begin to bleed or seep again.

Different skin cancers develop in different areas of the body. Basal cell carcinomas usually appear on skin surfaces frequently exposed to sun, like the face, neck, or upper back, and occasionally the hands or arms. They often seep yellowish fluid, scab over, and begin again to ooze. When the skin is pulled taut, basal cell cancers are often light grey in color. Sometimes tiny blood vessels can be seen inside the tumors.

In comparison, squamous cell carcinomas are more likely than basal cell cancers to appear on the backs of the arms or hands, but are found most frequently on the face, neck, or upper back. These appear as painful reddish, scaly growths. These also seep or bleed, scab over, and drain again.

Malignant melanoma, the most dangerous type, usually appears on the trunk or legs. These may appear as changes in moles or freckles, or may begin to grow spontaneously from a part of the skin that appears completely normal. These are often multi-colored, and can be brown, black, white, red, or blue.

Rarely, people may develop other types of skin cancers. Kaposi′s sarcoma is found in people with weakened immune systems, such as persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or those who have had organ transplants. These are painful purple spots that appear on the skin and can spread to the lungs or digestive organs.

People with a high risk for skin cancer, such as those frequently exposed to sunlight or individuals with a family member who has had cancer should consider examining their skin often. Skin cancer is usually very curable if it is found and treated early. Being aware of skin cancer symptoms and examining your skin often will allow you to get medical treatment early, and may save your life.

peterhutch asked:


Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. It is estimated that over 1 million new cases occur annually. The annual rates of all forms of skin cancer are increasing each year, representing a growing public concern. It has also been estimated that nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once.

Cancer that forms in tissues of the skin. There are several types of skin cancer. Skin cancer that forms in melanocytes (skin cells that make pigment) is called melanoma. Skin cancer that forms in basal cells (small, round cells in the base of the outer layer of skin) is called basal cell carcinoma. Skin cancer that forms in neuroendocrine cells (cells that release hormones in response to signals from the nervous system) is called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin.

Basal cells are round in shape and are found in the lower portion of the outer layer of skin also known as epidermis. One out of every three new cancers is a skin cancer, and the vast majority are basal cell carcinomas, often referred to by the abbreviation, BCC.Until recently, those most often affected were older people, particularly men who had worked outdoors. Although the number of new cases has increased sharply each year in the last few decades, the average age of onset of the disease has steadily decreased.

Cancer that begins in squamous cells — thin, flat cells that look under the microscope like fish scales. Squamous cells are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of hollow organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Squamous cell carcinomas may arise in any of these tissues.

The numbers of skin cancers vary from country to country. In tropical countries with large white populations, the numbers are proportional to the amount of sunlight. Most skin cancers can be treated by removal of the lesion, making sure that the edges (margins) are free of tumor cells. The excisions provide the best cure for both early and high-risk disease. Squamous cell carcinoma is a skin cancer also related to sunlight exposure. It starts as a small, firm, painless lump occurring most often on the lip, ear or back of the hand. It enlarges fairly rapidly and then will often break down in the centre to form a crater.

Like many cancers, skin cancers start as precancerous lesions. These precancerous lesions are changes in skin that are not cancer but could become cancer over time. Medical professionals often refer to these changes as dysplasia.

Treatment

Surgery: Surgery for skin cancer involves cutting the skin area which is affected. Surgery can be most effective if the affected area is cut from the skin in the early stage of skin cancer.

Cryosurgery: In this type of treatment, the affected area is cooled to a very low temperature. The affected tissues/cells are frozen and killed with the help of liquid nitrogen. Depending upon the complexity and the affected area, this treatment can be repeated number of times.

Laser Therapy: A high intensity narrow beam of laser is used to destroy the cells in the affected area. This therapy is used in most of the cases where the cancer has not reached deeper inside the skin.

Adam Hefner asked:


If you find anything on your skin that looks like it shouldn’t be there and which you can’t identify, skin cancer pictures can help give you an idea of what you’re looking at but they cannot replace a medical consultation. Any anomaly you find on your skin that you can’t identify should be seen by a doctor. If you do some basic research on skin cancer, you’ll know what questions to ask.

When you have an understanding of the symptoms, you need to perform regular skin self-examinations to detect any possible skin tumors early on. This is similar to a breast examination. You should check all over your skin, including on your scalp and between your toes, using a wall mirror and handheld mirror.

Look carefully for irregularities during your skin self-examination and keep an eye on any you find. Early detection of skin cancer is possible because the first symptoms appear on the skin, but a skin tumor may look like a rash, mole, or sore. If you fail to have skin cancer treated early, it can metastasize, spreading to other parts of the body and creating additional tumors, possibly threatening your life. Any possible symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible; you cannot diagnose skin cancer yourself.

Melanocytes are the cells which pigment the skin, located between the dermis and the epidermis. These cells can mutate to form benign growths known as nevi or moles, or can become melanoma, a form of cancer. Moles are extremely common; the average person has between 10 and 40 moles. Having an especially large number of moles or having dysplastic nevi, or irregularly shaped moles, is a risk factor for melanoma. A doctor can help you determine your level of risk for melanoma and what you can do to detect it early. You need to watch for any changes in number or shape of your moles, and keep a close eye on dysplastic nevi. A change in size, shape, color, or the health of the surrounding skin may indicate melanoma and any such changes should be evaluated by a doctor immediately.

The surface of the skin, or epidermis, is made of a layer of basal cells covered by a layer of squamous cells. These cells may become cancerous, forming squamous or basal cell carcinoma, the two most common types of nonmelanoma skin cancer. A nonmelanoma tumor may have a less striking appearance, looking like a small lump, rash, or sore which doesn’t heal. Any skin problem which doesn’t heal should be evaluated by a doctor.

The best way to catch skin cancer early is to regularly examine your skin and ask a doctor about anything you can’t identify, but skin cancer pictures can be used to help you determine which skin irregularities require immediate medical attention.