Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common human cancer. It is an abnormal or malignant growth on the skin, which can have many causes. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis (the outmost layer of skin), making the tumor clearly visible, which makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stage. Though skin cancer may cause fewer fatalities than other types of cancer, about 20% of all people will develop skin cancer at some time in their life.
Some form of skin cancer is diagnosed in more than one million people in the United States every year. In United Kingdom (UK), the estimated actual number with skin cancer is at least 100,000 cases each year. Almost one third of all cases of malignant melanoma occur in people under 50 years old. In Australia over 380,000 Australians are treated for skin cancer each year, that's over 1,000 people every day, this is because of their geographical location. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. And Australians are four times more likely to develop a common skin cancer than any form of cancer.
Cancer occurs when normal cells undergo a transformation during which they grow and multiply without normal controls. As the cells multiply they form a mass called tumor. Tumors of the skin are often referred to as lesions. They are only cancerous if they are malignant. This means that they encroach on and invade neighboring tissues because of their uncontrolled growth.
Tumors may also travel to remote organs via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This process of invading and spreading to other organs is called metastasis. Tumors overwhelm surrounding tissues by invading their space and taking the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive and function.
There are three common types of skin cancers, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises, these are Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) or Basal Cell Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) or Squamous Cell Cancer, and Melanoma. All three types of skin cancer are on the rise.
Basal cell carcinomas (BCC) are the most common. It 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. They rarely metastasize, and rarely cause death. They are easily treated with surgery or radiation.
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are much less common than basal cell carcinoma. It is commonly a red, scaling, thickened patch on sun-exposed skin. They metastasize more frequently than BCC's. But the metastasis rate or the spread of cancer from the original tumor is quite low, with the exception of SCC's of the lip, ear, and in immunosuppressed patients.
Melanomas are the least frequent of the three common skin cancers. They are brown to black looking lesions. They frequently metastasize, and are deadly once spread.
Less common skin cancers include: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberant, Merkel cell carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma, keratoacanthoma, spindle cell tumors, sebaceous carcinomas, micro cystic adnexal carcinoma, Paget's disease of the breast, atypical fibroxanthoma, leimyosarcoma, and angiosarcoma.
Most skin cancers can be prevented by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and by paying attention to suspicious changes in your skin. And with early detection, you can receive successful treatment for most skin cancers, even the most aggressive forms.
By: Sydney
Skin Cancer Recommended Resources:
Rush University Medical Center
Loyola University Dermatology Medical Education
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