SKIN
CANCER
Skin cancers
are the fastest growing type of cancer in the United States. Skin cancer represents
the most commonly diagnosed malignancy, surpassing lung, breast, colorectal
and prostate cancer. More than 1 million Americans will be diagnosed with
skin cancer in 2007.Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can
have many causes. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis (the outermost
layer of skin), so a tumor is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin
cancers detectable in the early stages. There are three common types of skin
cancer, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises.
Cancers caused by UV exposure may be prevented by avoiding exposure to sunlight
or other UV sources, and wearing sun-protective clothes. The use of sunscreen
had been recommended in the past, but there is an increasing body of evidence
that sunscreen is not entirely safe (see Sunscreens and Cancer by Hans R Larsen).
Symptoms
There are a variety of different skin cancer symptoms. These include crabs
or changes in the skin that do not heal, ulcers in the skin, discoloration,
and changes in existing moles.
* Basal cell carcinoma usually looks
like a raised, smooth, pearly bump on the sun-exposed skin of the head, neck
or shoulders. Sometimes small blood vessels can be seen within the tumor.
Crusting and bleeding in the center of the tumor frequently develops. It is
often mistaken for a sore that does not heal.
* Squamous cell carcinoma is commonly
a red, scaling, thickened patch on sun-exposed skin. Ulceration and bleeding
may occur. When SCC is not treated, it may develop into a large mass.
* Most melanomas are brown to black
looking lesions. Signs that might indicate a malignant melanoma include change
in size, shape, color or elevation of a mole. The appearance of a new mole
during adulthood, or new pain, itching, ulceration or bleeding of an existing
mole should be checked.
Treatments
Most skin cancers can be treated by removal of the lesion, making sure that
the edges (margins) are free of the tumor cells. These excisions provide the
best cure for both early and high-risk disease.For
low-risk disease, radiation therapy and cryotherapy (freezing the cancer off)
can provide adequate control of the disease; both, however, have lower overall
cure rates than surgery.Moh's Microsurgery is a technique used to remove the
cancer with the least amount of surrounding tissue and the edges are checked
immediately to see if tumor is found. This provides the opportunity to remove
the least amount of tissue and provide the best cosmetically favorable results.
This is especially important for areas where excess skin is limited, such
as the face. Cure rates are equivalent to wide excision. Special training
is required to perform this technique.In the case of disease that has spread
(metastasized) further surgical or chemotherapy may be required.(1)
source
(1) wikipedia