| Skin cancer represents the most commonly | | | | Anyone with a family history of skin cancer also has |
| diagnosed malignancy, surpassing lung, breast, | | | | an increased risk of developing skin cancer. |
| colorectal and prostate cancer. Tumors develop | | | | Signs of Skin Cancer |
| primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the | | | | Signs of melanoma may include: A large brownish |
| scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, | | | | spot with darker speckles located anywhere on your |
| and on the legs in women. Contrary to popular | | | | body, a simple mole located anywhere on your body |
| conception, skin cancer affects people of all skin | | | | that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds, a |
| tones, including those with darker complexions. Most | | | | small lesion with an irregular border and red, white, |
| skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun's | | | | blue or blue-black spots on your trunk or limbs, shiny, |
| damaging effects begin at an early age, therefore | | | | firm, dome-shaped bumps located anywhere on your |
| protection should start in childhood in order to | | | | body, dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips and |
| prevent skin cancer later in life. | | | | toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, |
| Types of Skin Cancer | | | | nose, vagina and anus. |
| The main types of skin tumours are: | | | | Signs of basal cell carcinoma can vary depending on |
| 1. Melanomas are skin cancers that form in | | | | the type and may include skin changes such as a: |
| melanocytes (skin cells that make pigment). Even | | | | Firm, pearly bump with tiny blood vessels in a spider |
| though it is rare, malignant melanoma is responsible | | | | like appearance (telangiectasias). Signs of squamous |
| for 75 % of all skin cancer related death cases. | | | | cell carcinoma include any: persistent, firm, red bump |
| 2. Basal Cell carcinomas are skin cancers that form in | | | | on sun-exposed skin. |
| basal cells (small, round cells in the base of the outer | | | | Treatment |
| layer of skin). | | | | Depending on the type of skin cancer, dermatologic |
| 3. Squamous Cell carcinomas are skin cancers that | | | | surgical treatments include: surgical excision; |
| form in squamous cells (flat cells that form the | | | | electrodessication and curettage which involves |
| surface of the skin). | | | | alternately scraping or burning the tumor in |
| Rarer types of skin tumors are: | | | | combination with low levels of electricity, cryosurgery |
| 1. Neuroendocrine carcinomas which form in | | | | and laser surgery. Other dermatologic treatments |
| neuroendocrine cells (cells that release hormones in | | | | include radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy |
| response to signals from the nervous system.) | | | | (a chemical is applied to the skin prior to exposure to |
| carcinoma of the skin. | | | | a light source). Mohs micrographic surgery is preferred |
| 2. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. | | | | for large basal cell carcinomas, those that recur after |
| 3. Merkel cell carcinoma. | | | | previous treatment, or lesions affecting parts of the |
| 4. Kaposi's sarcoma. | | | | body where experience shows that recurrence is |
| Risk Factors | | | | common after treatment by other methods. |
| Risk factors for non melanoma and melanoma skin | | | | Skin cancer can be deadly, but nearly all skin cancer |
| cancers include: unprotected and or excessive | | | | can be treated if it is detected and diagnosed early, |
| exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, fair complexion, | | | | however skin cancer can recur, so it is important that |
| occupational exposures to; coal tar, pitch, creosote, | | | | you examine your skin regularly for any changes and |
| arsenic compounds, radium, family history, multiple or | | | | see your doctor for a check-up every six to 12 |
| atypical moles, and severe sunburns as a child. | | | | months. |