Types of Skin Cancer
There are three common types of skin cancer, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises. These are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma.
It has been known that skin cancer begins in the skin's outer layer called the epidermis. The epidermis is as thin as a pencil line, and it provides a protective layer of skin cells that our body continually sheds. The epidermis contains three main types of cells:
- Squamous cells - is the cells that lie just below the outer surface of the skin and it function as the skin's lining.
- Basal cells - this cells produce new skin cells. And sit beneath the squamous cells.
- Melanocytes - is the one that produces melanin, the pigment that give the skin its normal color. Located in the lower part of the epidermis. Melanocytes produce more melanin when under the sun to help protect the deeper layers of the skin. Extra melanin produces the darker color of tanned skin.
The two nonmelanoma skin cancers, basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer, arise from epithelial tissue but have different pathophysiology, classifications, and manifestations. These types of skin cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm found in fair-skinned people. Men developed nonmelanoma skin cancer more often than women, probably because of occupational exposure.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is an epithelial tumor believed to originate either from the basal layer of the epidermis or from cells in the surrounding dermal structures. These tumors are characterized by an impaired ability of the basal cells of the epidermis to mature. This results in a bulky neoplasm or tumor that grows and destroys surrounding tissues, including healthy skin, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic tissue, cartilage, and bone. BCC is the most common but least aggressive type of skin cancer and rarely metastasize.
Basal cell cancer is usually a single, small and firm lesion, which is dome shaped and flesh - colored. Raised at the edges. Looks pearly or milky bordered, covered with tiny blood vessels seen over the top and around the tumor. It may look like a pimple that won't heal, ulcerated and bleeding at the center.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant tumor of the squamous epithelium of the skin mucous membranes. It appears in most areas of the skin exposed to ultraviolet rays and weather, such as forehead, helix of the ear, top of the nose, lower lip and back of the hands. SCC may also arise on skin that has been burned or has chronic inflammation. This is a much more aggressive cancer than BCC, with faster growth rate and with much greater potential for metastasis if untreated.
Squamous cell cancer usually begins as a small, firm red nodule. As it grows it may ulcerate, bleed, and become painful. As the tumor extends to the surrounding tissue and becomes nodule, the area around the nodules hardened.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes. This disease is over 10 times more common in fair-skinned people than dark-skinned people. And people who often had severe sunburn with blistering during childhood and tend to vacation in areas of intense sun exposure. This is also common to people who live in sunny climates, which burns easily, and patronize tanning parlors. It may arise from already present lesions or from skin normally covered with clothing.
Melanoma skin cancer can develop wherever there is pigment, but about one-third of them originate in existing nevi or moles. This type is deadly when lesion penetrates the dermis or the second layer of the skin; they mingle with blood and lymph vessels and are capable of metastasizing.
By: Sydney
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