Facts About Skin Cancer

Cancer is the one word nobody ever wants to hear when visiting the doctor. It conjures up thoughts of having to have multiple sessions of chemotherapy and losing one’s hair. It’s an awful affliction and unfortunately, millions of people are diagnosed with it every year.  There are, of course, different forms of cancer and nobody knows exactly what causes it although there are precautions such as not smoking or not exposing yourself too much to the sun. The following is what we know about skin cancer:

The Skin

There are 3 main layers that the skin is constituted of, namely:

1. The Epidermis – This is the skin’s outer layer.
2. The Dermis – The skin’s inner layer.
3. The Hypodermis – The deep layer of fat.

Skin Cancer

Cancer announces itself in the body when cells that are naturally healthy change and grow in an out of control manner and form a mass. This mass is called a tumor. Tumors can be cancerous or benign. Cancerous tumors are referred to as malignant. No one ever wants to hear this if they have a tumor. It means that their tumor has the ability to grow and spread to other parts of the body. Tumors that are benign are able to grow but do not spread.

More than 2 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. This makes it the most common form of cancer. If cancer of the skin is found early, it can usually be cured with surgery. Through this, cancer of the skin makes up for less than 1% of all deaths by cancer.

Skin Cancer Types

The 3 main types of skin cancer are:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Melanoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma

In the lower epidermis, there are round cells and these are known as basal cells. These kinds of cells attribute to 80% of skin cancer. When you have this kind of cancer, it is described as basal cell carcinomas. It is found mainly in the head and neck regions of the body. Its main causes are from sun exposure as well radiation therapy experienced as a child. It usually grows at a slow pace and does not often spread to other parts of the body.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The epidermis is mostly constituted of flat, scale-like cells that are referred to as squamous cells. Around 20% of skin cancers come from these particular cells and these cancers are referred to as squamous cell carcinomas. It is mainly caused by exposure to the sun but it is able to develop as well on burnt skin, skin that has been damaged by chemicals, as well as skin, that been exposed to x-rays. Particular areas where this kind of cancer is commonly found are the lips as well as skin outside the mouth, places where there are chronic inflammatory skin conditions, the anus as well as the vagina. These types of cells don’t often spread to other parts of the body, but are more common to spread than basal cell carcinoma.

Melanoma

Where the epidermis and the dermis meet are scattered cells. Their name is melanocytes. The cells found here make the pigment melanin which gives rise to skin color. Melanoma will start in melanocytes. This is the most serious type of skin cancer and the one we often hear of when hearing about skin cancer.

Melanoma is distinguished from “non-melanoma skin cancer” (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma). Melanoma comes about from very different cells and because it has a higher chance of spreading, it is treated differently. Regularly, non-melanoma skin cancer can be treated with relatively simple surgery. Sometimes if the cancer is very small the following treatment can occur:

• Medicated Creams (prescribed by doctors)
• Cauterization (burning)
• Cryosurgery (freezing)
• Laser Surgery

Other, rarer types of skin cancer (which are all classified as non-melanoma skin cancers) include:

• Keratoacanthomas
• Merkel Cell Carcinoma
• Cutaneous (Skin) Lymphomas
• Kaposi Sarcoma
• Skin Adnexal Tumors
• Sarcomas

If you suspect you have skin cancer, go see a recommended dermatologist immediately. The important thing is to take action fast before anything possibly spreads. Act now and be in control of your health!