Skin cancer is the most common of all kinds of cancers. More than one million cases of skin cancer are identified in the United States every year.
Fair-skinned individuals who sunburn easily are at a particularly great risk for developing skin cancer. Other important risk factors comprise use of tanning devices, family history, repeated medical and industrial x-ray exposure, immune suppression, scarring from diseases or burns, and occupational exposure to compounds such as coal tar and arsenic.
Actinic Keratoses (AK)
AKs (or solar keratoses) are considered the earliest stage in the development of definite skin cancers. They are small, scaly spots most commonly found on the face, ears, neck, forearms, the scalp of bald men, and backs of the hands in fair-skinned individuals who have had important sun exposure. AKs can be treated by cryosurgery (freezing using liquid nitrogen), topical chemotherapy (applying a cream or lotion), chemical peeling, dermabrasion, laser surgery, electrodessication and curettage (ED&C-variedly scraping and burning the tumor), photodynamic therapy (a chemical applied to the skin is exposed to a light source), or new dermatologic surgical methods. Some AKs may progress to advanced stages that need more extensive treatment. Proper use of sunscreens can assist prevent AKs even after extensive sun damage has already occurred.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
BCC is the most common type of skin cancer; it occurs most frequently on the head and neck, with the rest mostly on the trunk and lower limbs, and often appears as a fleshy bump, nodule, or red patch. BCCs are frequently found in fair-skinned people and rarely happen in dark-skinned individuals. BCCs generally do not grow quickly, but this does not mean treatment should be delayed. While BCCs rarely metastasize (spread) to other organs, if untreated, the cancer often will begin to repeatedly bleed and crust over, and can expand below the skin to the bone and nerves causing considerable local damage.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
SCC is the second most common skin cancer; it is chiefly found in fair-skinned people and rarely in dark-skinned individuals. Typically placed on the rim of the ear, face, near the mouth or on the trunk, this cancer may appear as a firm bump, or as a red, scaly patch. SCC can develop into large masses and become persistent, leading to extensive local tissue destruction and possible risk of metastasis. Therefore, it is significant to get early treatment. When detected and treated early, the treatment rate for both BCC and SCC approaches 95 percent.
Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is the majority deadly of all skin cancers. Every year, more than 8,000 Americans will expire from melanoma; it is projected that more than 100,000 Americans will develop melanoma annually.
Melanoma starts in melanocytes, the cells throughout the skin that produce the pigment called melanin which makes the skin tan; clusters of melanocytes are what make up moles. Melanoma may show suddenly or begin in or near a mole, or another dark spot in the skin. It is significant to know the location and appearance of the moles on the body to detect changes early. Since melanoma cells can carry on to produce melanin, this skin cancer often appears in mixed shades of tan, brown, and black; although, it can also be red or white.
Any changing mole must be observed by a dermatologist. Early melanoma can be removed while still in the curable stage; melanoma readily metastasizes, making early detection and treatment necessary to increase survival rates.
Excessive sun exposure, particularly sunburn, is the most important preventable risk factor for melanoma. Fair-skinned individuals are at exacting risk, but heredity also plays a part. A person has an increased possibility of developing melanoma if a relative or close family member has had melanoma. Atypical moles, which may also run in families, and having a large number of moles, can also, provide as markers for people at increased risk for developing melanoma.
Dark skin is not an assurance against melanoma. People with skin of color can increase melanoma, especially on the palms, soles, under the nails, in the mouth, or on the genitalia.
Fair-skinned individuals who sunburn easily are at a particularly great risk for developing skin cancer. Other important risk factors comprise use of tanning devices, family history, repeated medical and industrial x-ray exposure, immune suppression, scarring from diseases or burns, and occupational exposure to compounds such as coal tar and arsenic.
Actinic Keratoses (AK)
AKs (or solar keratoses) are considered the earliest stage in the development of definite skin cancers. They are small, scaly spots most commonly found on the face, ears, neck, forearms, the scalp of bald men, and backs of the hands in fair-skinned individuals who have had important sun exposure. AKs can be treated by cryosurgery (freezing using liquid nitrogen), topical chemotherapy (applying a cream or lotion), chemical peeling, dermabrasion, laser surgery, electrodessication and curettage (ED&C-variedly scraping and burning the tumor), photodynamic therapy (a chemical applied to the skin is exposed to a light source), or new dermatologic surgical methods. Some AKs may progress to advanced stages that need more extensive treatment. Proper use of sunscreens can assist prevent AKs even after extensive sun damage has already occurred.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
BCC is the most common type of skin cancer; it occurs most frequently on the head and neck, with the rest mostly on the trunk and lower limbs, and often appears as a fleshy bump, nodule, or red patch. BCCs are frequently found in fair-skinned people and rarely happen in dark-skinned individuals. BCCs generally do not grow quickly, but this does not mean treatment should be delayed. While BCCs rarely metastasize (spread) to other organs, if untreated, the cancer often will begin to repeatedly bleed and crust over, and can expand below the skin to the bone and nerves causing considerable local damage.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
SCC is the second most common skin cancer; it is chiefly found in fair-skinned people and rarely in dark-skinned individuals. Typically placed on the rim of the ear, face, near the mouth or on the trunk, this cancer may appear as a firm bump, or as a red, scaly patch. SCC can develop into large masses and become persistent, leading to extensive local tissue destruction and possible risk of metastasis. Therefore, it is significant to get early treatment. When detected and treated early, the treatment rate for both BCC and SCC approaches 95 percent.
Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is the majority deadly of all skin cancers. Every year, more than 8,000 Americans will expire from melanoma; it is projected that more than 100,000 Americans will develop melanoma annually.
Melanoma starts in melanocytes, the cells throughout the skin that produce the pigment called melanin which makes the skin tan; clusters of melanocytes are what make up moles. Melanoma may show suddenly or begin in or near a mole, or another dark spot in the skin. It is significant to know the location and appearance of the moles on the body to detect changes early. Since melanoma cells can carry on to produce melanin, this skin cancer often appears in mixed shades of tan, brown, and black; although, it can also be red or white.
Any changing mole must be observed by a dermatologist. Early melanoma can be removed while still in the curable stage; melanoma readily metastasizes, making early detection and treatment necessary to increase survival rates.
Excessive sun exposure, particularly sunburn, is the most important preventable risk factor for melanoma. Fair-skinned individuals are at exacting risk, but heredity also plays a part. A person has an increased possibility of developing melanoma if a relative or close family member has had melanoma. Atypical moles, which may also run in families, and having a large number of moles, can also, provide as markers for people at increased risk for developing melanoma.
Dark skin is not an assurance against melanoma. People with skin of color can increase melanoma, especially on the palms, soles, under the nails, in the mouth, or on the genitalia.
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