Acne

Bertil Hjert asked:


A basal cell carcinoma skin cancer is the result of sun damage to the skin. The cancer tends to enlarge in a slow and steady pattern. It has the capability to spread to the tissue nearby. However, it cannot spread to the distant part of the body.

The best and the only way to detect this cancer is to go for a biopsy. The procedure involves removal of a small piece of the skin and letting a pathologist analyze it under the microscope in a medical laboratory.

The process does not work towards removing the cancer. It only takes off at the top just like the tip of an ice berg. Sometimes, the skin works towards healing once the biopsy is done as it starts growing over the cancer.

Now, this does not indicate that the cancer is gone. It just means that the cancer is covered with a layer of skin. In case, the cancer is not eliminated completely, it can get deep in to the skin and results in greater harm.

Basal cell carcinoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer existing in the world. This cancer can be quite destructive and even disfiguring. It consists of the risk of developing serious skin problems.

People with family history of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer are more vulnerable to developing this disease. Also people who have exposed themselves to sunlight or exposed to carcinogenic chemicals such as arsenic are at greater risk of developing this disease.

The treatment of this dangerous disease is either via surgery, topical chemotherapy, cryosurgery, or photodynamic therapy. The disease is not life threatening. However, if left untreated, the disease can disfigure the skin, results in bleeding and even result in local destruction in areas such as eye, ear, nose and lip.

There are several types of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer as mentioned below:

a) Nodular



This appears as flesh colored papule with telangiectasis. In case, it becomes ulcerates, it

results in ‘rodent ulcer’. It is an ulcerating nodule with a pearly border.

b) Cystic



This is a rare type of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer and very difficult to distinguish from the nodular type. It has a cavity in the centre with fluid.

c) Pigmented



This is another variant of the nodular type of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer. This should not confuse with melanoma.

d) Sclerosing



It is a scar like lesion.

e) Superficial



This type of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer appears as a red scaling patch.

Basal cell carcinoma skin cancer may look different from normal skin. It may also appear as skin bump or a growth that looks pearly, waxy, white, light pink, flesh colored, brown or even flat.

Here are some symptoms of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer:

- A skin sore that may bleed easily

- A sore that does not heal properly

- Sore with crusting or oozing spots

- Sore just like a scar without an injured area.

- Irregular blood vessels around the spot

Rush to a skin doctor as soon as you observe some of the above symptoms.



BUDDY

Dick Aronson asked:


Skin cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed malignancy, surpassing lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. Tumors develop primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. Contrary to popular conception, skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions. 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.

Types of Skin Cancer

The main types of skin tumours are:

1. Melanomas are skin cancers that form in melanocytes (skin cells that make pigment). Even though it is rare, malignant melanoma is responsible for 75 % of all skin cancer related death cases.

2. Basal Cell carcinomas are skin cancers that form in basal cells (small, round cells in the base of the outer layer of skin).

3. Squamous Cell carcinomas are skin cancers that form in squamous cells (flat cells that form the surface of the skin).

Rarer types of skin tumors are:

1. Neuroendocrine carcinomas which form in neuroendocrine cells (cells that release hormones in response to signals from the nervous system.) carcinoma of the skin.

2. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

3. Merkel cell carcinoma.

4. Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for non melanoma and melanoma skin cancers include: unprotected and or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, fair complexion, occupational exposures to; coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, radium, family history, multiple or atypical moles, and severe sunburns as a child. Anyone with a family history of skin cancer also has an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

Signs of Skin Cancer

Signs of melanoma may include: A large brownish spot with darker speckles located anywhere on your body, a simple mole located anywhere on your body that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds, a small lesion with an irregular border and red, white, blue or blue-black spots on your trunk or limbs, shiny, firm, dome-shaped bumps located anywhere on your body, dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips and toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, ****** and ****.

Signs of basal cell carcinoma can vary depending on the type and may include skin changes such as a: Firm, pearly bump with tiny blood vessels in a spider like appearance (telangiectasias). Signs of squamous cell carcinoma include any: persistent, firm, red bump on sun-exposed skin.

Treatment

Depending on the type of skin cancer, dermatologic surgical treatments include: surgical excision; electrodessication and curettage which involves alternately scraping or burning the tumor in combination with low levels of electricity, cryosurgery and laser surgery. Other dermatologic treatments include radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy (a chemical is applied to the skin prior to exposure to a light source). Mohs micrographic surgery is preferred for large basal cell carcinomas, those that recur after previous treatment, or lesions affecting parts of the body where experience shows that recurrence is common after treatment by other methods.

Skin cancer can be deadly, but nearly all skin cancer can be treated if it is detected and diagnosed early, however skin cancer can recur, so it is important that you examine your skin regularly for any changes and see your doctor for a check-up every six to 12 months.



KARL