Posts Tagged ‘Basal cell carcinoma’
February 13th, 2010 | 
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Skin cancer is generally separated into two main categories, melanoma and nonmelanoma. Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. The nonmelanoma group encompasses all other skin cancers. The two most common forms of nonmelanoma skin cancer, squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma, are named for the squamous or basal cells which become cancerous.
The top layer of skin, the epidermis, is made up of basal and squamous cells. The surface of the skin is made of round, flat squamous cells, and below these are the basal cells. Hair follicles and sweat glands are in the dermis below the epidermis.
Treatment of basal or squamous cell carcinoma is usually very successful with no side effects if caught early enough. Since symptoms first appear on the skin, detection of skin cancer in its earliest stage of development is possible if you recognize it. These common cancers can be surgically removed if they have not advanced, making aggressive therapy unnecessary. The danger is in not recognizing the symptoms and not going to a doctor, or in contracting skin cancer in a place you wouldn’t normally see it and failing to find it before it metastasizes. To avoid this, you should do regular skin self-examinations, checking for any possible skin cancer symptoms. If you find a small lump, rash, or sore which does not heal, you should ask your doctor if it may be skin cancer.
Melanoma is named for the melanocyte cells which give pigment to the skin and can become cancerous. These cells are located between the dermis and epidermis, and can form benign growths known as nevi, or moles. This occurs when the melanocyte cells reproduce too fast or fail to die, and accumulate into harmless growths which do not spread like cancer does. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles throughout their skin, but having a significantly higher number of nevi is a risk factor for melanoma, as is having dysplastic, or irregularly shaped, nevi. If new moles form, or if changes occur in existing moles, especially dysplastic nevi, you should see a doctor because this may be a symptom of melanoma. Watch for any changes in the skin surrounding a mole, or in the size, shape, or color of the mole.
Generally, if you have a skin anomaly which may be skin cancer, your doctor will perform a biopsy. If the possible tumor can be conveniently removed, the doctor will remove it completely and test it for cancer. No further treatment may be necessary; if the cancer has progressed, you may need topical radiation or chemotherapy, the surgical removal of local lymph nodes, or more aggressive treatment if the cancer has metastasized. If it is not treated, wandering cancerous skin cells can travel through the body and create additional tumors in other organs or systems.
Any kind of skin cancer, squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma, or melanoma, should be treated as soon as it is discovered in order to prevent metastasis.
By: Adam Hefner
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Posted in Skin Cancer | 
Tags: Basal cell carcinoma, Skin Cancer, Squamous cell carcinoma | 
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Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of all cancers. Learn more about BCC.Watch More Health Videos at Health Guru: www.healthguru.com
Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer, surpassing in frequency lung cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Although it is the most common form of cancer, it is less frequently fatal than those and many other cancers, because the tumors it produces tend to be visible. This often leads to the cancer being spotted in the early stages before it can metastasize. If it goes ignored, however, skin cancer can be deadly.
There are many different types of skin cancer, some of them more dangerous than others. The three most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type and tends to appear in sun-exposed areas of the body, like the face. It is the kind least likely to metastasize and rarely causes death. Basal cell carcinoma can be effectively treated with surgery and radiation.
Squamous cell carcinoma is less common than basal cell, although still fairly common compared to other cancers. It is more prone to metastasizing than basal cell carcinoma, but the rate is still very low. The risk is greater when it is located on the ear or lip, and in patients with weak immune systems. Generally squamous cell carcinoma is treatable through the same means as basal cell carcinoma.
The rarest of the three common types of skin cancer is melanoma. Melanoma tends to metastasize readily and is deadly once it has spread through the body. Because of its tendency to metastasize, early detection is of the utmost importance with melanoma. Early detection and treatment of melanoma can dramatically reduce the risk of it metastasizing and causing death.
The most significant risk factor is overexposure to UV-radiation. This radiation causes mutations in skin cell DNA that can lead to the development of cancer later in life. Regular use of sunblock and products with an adequate sun protection factor (SPF) can dramatically reduce the risk of the development of cancerous cells in the long term.
There are also genetic risk factors. People who are prone to developing moles are at an elevated risk. A particular hereditary condition called Congenital Melanocytic Nevi Syndrome leads to the development of moles on the skin, first appearing within months of birth. These moles are prone to becoming cancerous, but the risk is greatest for moles over 3/4″ (or 20mm) in size. In addition, people who smoke are at a much higher risk for skin cancer than nonsmokers.
Detected early, skin cancer can be stopped in its tracks and treated. Even with melanoma, patients whose cancer is discovered early can make full recoveries. If you or someone you love have developed skin cancer as a result of a medical professionals failure to detect the signs, you may be entitled to damages. Call the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams today to learn how they can help you.
By: Joseph Devine
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There are five different kinds of skin cancer. All of them are dangerous though some are to be worried about more than others. The most common type of skin cancer is Basal cell carcinoma with over a million Americans developing this cancer each year. Seventy five percent of all skin cancers treated are of this variety. This type of skin cancer is believed by physicians to be caused by a person spending too much time in the sun. Which is why this type of skin cancers tends to be found ion the more common places on the body that has sun exposure. This includes the face, scalp, and upper torso. Although they have more than one form basal cell carcinoma often begins like a shiny bump. It takes the form of a sore that does not heal or that heals and then becomes unhealthy looking once again. These are slow growing; rarely spreading to other parts of the body but still must be attended to quickly.
At least two hundred thousand Americans yearly are treated for Squamous cell carcinoma, this is the second most common and accounts for twenty percent of the cases of skin cancer. This one is also blamed on too much sun but is more common among middle aged and the elderly. They first appear as a crusty spot, but one with that appears reddened and irritated looking and does look very much like a small growth or boil. If you notice something that looks like this go immediately to your health care provider as Squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of your body.
The next in line is the most dangerous of the skin cancers. That one is Melanoma and it affects four percent of those who are treated for skin cancers. It is considered the most dangerous because it is the most lethal. Although if found early the cure rate is a stunning ninety five percent effective. But once it begins its spread there is very little hope. So if you see changes to a mole or a new mole, especially if you are over thirty, see your health care provider immediately.
The remaining one percent if divided between Paget’s disease and Kaposi’s sarcoma. Paget’s occurs because of cancers in the sweat glands of the intestines, genitals or urinary tract and so the cancer shows up in the genital area or around the anus. It can also come out around the nipples because of cancer of the milk ducts though both men and women can have this problem. The sores look a like normal patchy skin, rashes, and can be very itchy or even painful. A biopsy is usually needed to determine if its just a skin condition or its Paget’s. Kaposi’s sarcoma is an AIDS related skin cancer related to herpes.
Learn self-examination, its a way to protect yourself that is easy and costs you nothing more than a few minutes of your time once every few months. Aren’t you worth it?
Posted in Skin Cancer |
Tags: Basal cell carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, melanoma, Paget's disease, Skin Cancer, Squamous cell carcinoma |
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