What is Skin cancer?

[vinodg]

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin Cancer starts at its smallest common denominator of the skin cell. Within each skin cell, a set of genes instructs the cell to do the right thing at the right time. Skin cancer happens when the cells of the epidermis become damaged and begin to grow out of control.

Note: Patients taking CellCept in combination with other antirejection medications have a greater chance of developing cancers, especially skin cancer.

Another condition to watch out for is actinic keratosis, which is not actually cancer but a precancerous skin disease. It is characterized by red, flattish, scaling areas. In the general population, 10% of actinic keratoses can turn into squamous cell carcinoma.

[BrendaMarie]

Interesting information. I always knew what skin cancer was but not the details that you've shared here. Thank you!

[Dr. Clean]

is skin cancer only of one type and can it be avoided. also i would like to know what are the symtopms of skin cancer and is it possible for a common man to find out that he has skin cnacer. i shall be grateful to you if you let me know the details

thanks in advance

[azap]

thanks for the valuable info vinod.i really wasnt aware much of it.

[boron]

The major risk factor for most types of skin carcinoma is UVA and UVB sunlight, including UVA from tanning saloons. Especially great risk is having a severe sunburn any time in life.

Skin cancers are often reported by farmers, other outdor workers, even drivers. Most of skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma) grow slowly, are highly treatable, and are rarely life dangerous. These cancers appear mostly on the face, neck, and back of the hands.

Melanoma mostly appear on the trunk, and in women on legs, but also under nails or anywhere. It may grow slowly or rapidly, and is one of the most dangerous cancers.

Newly appearing skin spot, or an old nevus that changed in size, appearance or color is the main symptom. Such changes have to be checked with dermatologist immediately.

Treatment of all skin cancers is usually with surgical removal.

[akshaykalia]

Skin cancer may appear as a change in the skin, such as a growth, an irritation or sore that does not heal, or a change in a wart or mole. Although anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is if you have fair skin that freckles easily, often with blue or light-colored eyes and red or blond hair.

The main skin cancer symptom includes a difference in the appearance of the skin. It may take the form of a spot, sore, or mole with a changeable size, shape, color, or feel. Some common skin cancer symptoms are firm red lump, sore or rough red spot that becomes crusty or scaly which begins to bleed, spot that becomes red, swollen, itchy, tender, or painful and mole that grows or otherwise changes its appearance. There are a variety of different skin cancer symptoms that you should be aware of. Those skin cancer symptoms include sores or changes in the skin that do not heal, ulcers in the skin, discoloring in parts of the skin, and changes in existing moles. The skin cancer symptoms may vary depending upon its type.

[icebreaker]

Skin cancer is caused gradually by bad effects of sun damage. It usually occurs at the age of 18 years old and below due to constant exposure to sun's ultraviolet radiation.

[THE French]

great information. thank you!

[sindhu_pec]

Skin cancer can occur in the following three forms:
Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma

[saggy]

Cancer develops when DNA, the molecule found in cells that encodes genetic information, becomes damaged and the body cannot repair the damage. These damaged cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. When this occurs in the skin, skin cancer develops. As the damaged cells multiply, they form a tumor. Since skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis, the outermost layers of skin, a tumor is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages.

Types of Skin Cancer
Three types of skin cancer account for nearly 100% of all diagnosed cases. Each of these three cancers begins in a different type of cell within the skin, and each cancer is named for the type of cell in which it begins. Skin cancers are divided into one of two classes - nonmelanoma skin cancers and melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The different types of skin cancer are:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): The most common cancer in humans, BCC develops in more than 1 million people every year in the United States alone. About 80% of all skin cancers are BCC, a cancer that develops in the basal cells - skin cells located in the lowest layer of the epidermis. BCC can take several forms. It can appear as a shiny translucent or pearly nodule, a sore that continuously heals and then re-opens, a pink slightly elevated growth, reddish irritated patches of skin, or a waxy scar. Most BCCs appear on skin with a history of exposure to the sun, such as the face, ears, scalp, and upper trunk. These tumors tend to grow slowly and can take years to reach ½ inch in size. While these tumors very rarely metastasize (cancer spreads to other parts of the body), dermatologists encourage early diagnosis and treatment to prevent extensive damage to surrounding tissue.