Skin Cancer Symptoms
Skin cancer symptoms have different varieties. These include changes in the skin that do not heal, ulcering in the skin, discolored skin, and changes in existing moles. Such as jagged edges to the mole, and enlargement of the mole. A cancerous skin lesion appearance depends on the type of cancer present in the skin.
Following are symptoms seen based on the three common skin cancers.
Basal cell carcinoma symptoms usually appears as one of the following.
- A pearly or waxy lump on your face, ears or neck.
- A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion on your chest or back.
- Small blood vessels may also be visible within the tumor.
BCC appears on areas of the skin that is usually and frequently exposed in the sun. It is the most common skin cancer. It is also the most easily treated and least likely to spread because of its slow growth.
A central depression with crusting and bleeding (ulceration) frequently develops and BCC is often mistaken for a sore that does not heal.
Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms usually appears as one of the following:
- A firm, red nodule on your face, lips, ears, neck, hands or arms.
- A flat lesion with a scaly, crushed surface on your face, ears, neck, hands or arms.
SCC also occurs on parts of the skin that have been in the sun. But it also may be seen in parts that are not exposed in the sun. It sometimes spreads to lymph nodes and organs inside the body.
Squamous cell cancer can easily be treated if detected early, but it is slightly more apt to spread than basal cell cancer.
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Malignant melanoma causes 75% of all deaths from skin cancer. It can develop anywhere in the body. Most often appears on the trunk, head or neck of affected men. In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the arms or legs.
Melanoma symptoms includes the following:
- A large brownish spot with darker speckles located anywhere in the body.
- A simple mole located anywhere in the body that changes color, size, or feel or that bleeds.
- A small lesion with an irregular border and red, white, blue or blue-black spots on your trunk or limbs.
- Shiny, firm, dome-shaped bumps located anywhere in the body.
- Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips and toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina and anus.
There are other less common skin cancers that can also be detected easily if the following symptoms are present.
- Kaposi sarcoma - This is a rare skin cancer that develops in the skin's blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes. It is mainly seen in people with weakened immune system such as people with AIDS.
- Merkel cell carcinoma - This skin cancer is firm, shiny nodules that occurs on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. The nodules may be red, pink or blue and can vary in size from quarter of an inch (about 6 millimeters) to more than 2 inches (about 50 millimeters). It is usually seen on sun-exposed areas of the head, neck, arms and legs. Unlike basal and squamous cell carcinomas, Merkel cell carcinoma grows rapidly and often spreads to other parts of the body.
- Sebaceous gland carcinoma - This is an uncommon and yet aggressive skin cancer that originates in the oil glands of the skin. It usually appears as hard, painless nodules and can develop anywhere in the body, but most occur on the eyelid, where they mistaken for benign conditions.
Not all skin changes are cancerous. The only way to know for sure is to have your skin examined by professionals.
By: Sydney
Skin Cancer Symptoms Recommended Resources:
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
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