| Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the | | | | the tumor frequently develops. It is |
| skin which can have many causes. Skin | | | | often mistaken for a sore that does not |
| cancer generally develops in the | | | | heal. |
| epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), | | | | * Squamous cell carcinoma is commonly a |
| so a tumor is usually clearly visible. | | | | red, scaling, thickened patch on |
| This makes most skin cancers detectable | | | | sun-exposed skin. Ulceration and |
| in the early stages. There are three | | | | bleeding may occur. When SCC is not |
| common types of skin cancer, each of | | | | treated, it may develop into a large |
| which is named after the type of skin | | | | mass. |
| cell from which it arises. The two most | | | | Skin Cancer Treatment |
| common types are basal cell cancer and | | | | Most skin cancers can be treated by |
| squamous cell cancer. It accounts for | | | | removal of the lesion, making sure that |
| more than 75 percent of all skin | | | | the edges (margins) are free of the |
| cancers. Squamous cell carcinomas arise | | | | tumor cells. These excisions provide the |
| from the upper levels of the epidermis, | | | | best cure for both early and high-risk |
| usually on places that have been exposed | | | | disease. |
| to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma also | | | | For low-risk disease, radiation therapy |
| can spread internally. They account for | | | | and cryotherapy (freezing the cancer |
| about 20 percent of skin cancers in the | | | | off) can provide adequate control of the |
| United States.Melanoma is generally the | | | | disease; both, however, have lower |
| most serious form of skin cancer because | | | | overall cure rates than surgery. |
| it tends to spread (metastasize) | | | | Most skin cancers are removed |
| throughout the body quickly. | | | | surgically, by a plastic surgeon or a |
| Signs and symptoms | | | | dermatologist. If the cancer is small, |
| There are a variety of different skin | | | | the procedure can be done quickly and |
| cancer symptoms. These include crabs or | | | | easily, in an outpatient facility or the |
| changes in the skin that do not heal, | | | | physician's office, using local |
| ulcers in the skin, discoloration, and | | | | anesthesia. The procedure may be a |
| changes in existing moles. | | | | simple excision, which usually leaves a |
| * Basal cell carcinoma usually looks | | | | thin, barely visible scar. Or curettage |
| like a raised, smooth, pearly bump on | | | | and desiccation may be performed. In |
| the sun-exposed skin of the head, neck | | | | this procedure the cancer is scraped out |
| or shoulders. Sometimes small blood | | | | with an electric current to control |
| vessels can be seen within the tumor. | | | | bleeding and kill any remaining cancer |
| Crusting and bleeding in the center of | | | | cells. |