|
| |
-<BR>( ICD-O 8010-8720)
|
| |
,
|
In
Medicine (
Dermatology ), there are several different types of
Cancer referred to under the general label of .
The most common types are
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) which may be locally disfiguring but unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. The most dangerous type is
Malignant Melanoma , which can be fatal if not treated early, but forms only a small number of all skin cancers.
Skin cancer is an increasingly common condition, in part attributed to increased exposure to
Ultraviolet Radiation , against which no level of sun screens offer any decisive protection. The increased exposure is mainly due to the recent popularity of
Sun Tanning (
Sun Bathing ). Lighter-skinned individuals are more vulnerable. In the
United States , about one out of every three new cancer cases is a skin cancer. Skin cancer is also the cancer that most people get over any other kind of cancer. To reduce the chances of getting skin cancer from ultra violet radiation, one should exercise caution and wear protective clothing such as hats and long sleeve shirts. Also the use of creams and lotions containing sun screen should be encourged as effective means of blocking
Radiation .
Minor surface skin cancers are readily treatable by simple
Surgery , but if the cancer is allowed to grow then it will penetrate through the layers of skin and affect the
Lymphatic System . It may also
Metastasize and spread to other parts of the body.
Skin cancers which are aggressive, recurrent, or located upon 'high risk sites' of the body (central face, scalp, ears, genitalia) may require more advanced surgical approaches such as
Mohs' Micrographic Surgery to achieve high cure rates.
There are a variety of different skin cancer symptoms. These include
Sore s or changes in the
Skin that do not heal,
Ulcer s in the skin, discoloring in parts of the skin, and changes in existing
Mole s.
- ''Basal cell carcinoma'' usually looks like a raised, smooth, pearly bump on the sun-exposed skin of the Head , Neck or Shoulder s. Sometimes small Blood Vessel s can be seen within the tumor. Crusting and bleeding in the center of the tumour 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 ''malignant 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.
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,
Squames 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
