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Skin cancer

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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, wearing sun-protective clothes, and using a broad-spectrum sun screen.

Skin cancers are the fastest growing cancers in the United States and in the USA represent 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. [1]

Skin cancer
SpecialtyOncology, dermatology Edit this on Wikidata

Risk Factors

Skin cancer is most closely associated with chronic inflammation of the skin. This includes:

  1. sunburn or excessive sun damage,especially early in life. UVA & UVB have both been implicated in causing DNA damage resulting in cancer. Sun exposure between 10AM and 4PM is thought to be most harmful. Natural (sun) & artificial UV exposure (tanning salons) are associated with skin cancer.
  2. chronic non-healing wounds, especially burns. These are called Marjolin's ulcers based on their appearance.
  3. genetic predisposition, including Congenital Melanocytic Nevi Syndrome. CMNS is characterized by the presence of "nevi" or moles of varying size that either appear at or within 6 months of birth. Nevi larger than 20 mm (3/4") in size are at higher risk for becoming cancerous.
  4. skin can be protected by avoiding the sunlight. Skin cancer is caused by exposing skin to UV rays excessively.

Types

The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) which may be locally disfiguring but are unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. The most dangerous type is malignant melanoma. This form of skin cancer can be fatal if not treated early but comprises only a small proportion of all skin cancers.

More rare types of skin cancer include:

Prevalence

Skin cancer is an increasingly common condition. This is in part attributed to increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which in turn is thought to be caused by the increased popularity of sun tanning (sun bathing). Lighter-skinned individuals are more vulnerable. In the United States, about one out of every three new cancers arises from skin. it is also genetic.

Signs and symptoms

There are a variety of different skin cancer symptoms. These include sores 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.

Treatment

Most skin cancers can be treated by removal of the lesion, making sure that the edges (margins) are free of tumor cells. The 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 where the cancer is removed with the least amount of surrounding tissue and the edges checked immediately to see if tumor is found. This provides the opportunity to remove the least amount of tissue and provide the best cosmetic surgery, especially when excess skin is limited, in areas such as the face. Cure rates are equivalent to wide excision. Special training is required in this technique.

In the case of disease that has spread (metastasized) further surgical or chemotherapy may be required. (Greenfield's Surgery 4th ed.)

Reduction of risk

Although it is impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of skin cancer, the risk of developing such a cancer can be reduced significantly with the following steps:

  • reducing exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, especially in early years
  • avoiding sunburns
  • avoiding sun exposure during the day (usually from 10 AM to 3 PM), when the sun is highest in the sky
  • wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and hats) when outdoors
  • using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation
  • use SPF sun block of at least 30
  • reapply sun block every 2 hours and after swimming

Although it is generally accepted that UV exposure is the greatest risk factor in melanoma development, some skeptics say that there is no proven data that links moderate sun exposure with the appearance of melanoma.

Pathology

Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor which originates in epidermis, squamous mucosa or areas of squamous metaplasia.

Macroscopically, the tumor is often elevated, fungating, or may be ulcerated with irregular borders. Microscopically, tumor cells destroy the basement membrane and form sheets or compact masses which invade the subjacent connective tissue (dermis). In well differentiated carcinomas, tumor cells are pleomorphic/atypical, but resembling normal keratinocytes from prickle layer (large, polygonal, with abundant eosinophilic (pink) cytoplasm and central nucleus). Their disposal tends to be similar to that of normal epidermis: immature/basal cells at the periphery, becoming more mature to the centre of the tumor masses. Tumor cells transform into keratinized squamous cells and form round nodules with concentric, laminated layers, called "cell nests" or "epithelial/keratinous pearls". The surrounding stroma is reduced and contains inflammatory infiltrate (lymphocytes). Poorly differentiated squamous carcinomas contain more pleomorphic cells and no keratinization. 1

See also

References

  • American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures-1999. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society, 1999.
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