The cancer that begins in the skin cells is called skin cancer. It usually occurs due to prolonged exposure to the sun. However, it may also happen in body parts that are not exposed to the sun. The main skin cancer types include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Generally, to reduce the risk of skin cancer, you should limit your exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation. If you notice skin changes that seem to be suspicious, do not hesitate to see a doctor. Early diagnosis increases the chances of curing this cancer type.
Symptoms
In most cases, skin cancer appears on the areas of sun-exposed skin such as the neck, lips, ears, chest, arms, hands, scalp, and legs (mostly in women). Moreover, it may affect people of all skin tones (including people with darker complexions). Therefore, if skin cancer occurs in a person with a darker skin tone, it may appear in areas that have not been exposed to the sun (such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet).
The symptoms usually appear according to the type and location of the cancer. Check below some examples:
Basal Cell Carcinoma Symptoms
This cancer type occurs in body parts that are continuously exposed to the sun (including the neck or face). The symptoms include:
- A flat and brown scar-like lesion
- Bleeding or scabbing sores that may heal and then return
- A waxy or pearly bump on the skin
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Symptoms
This skin cancer type also mostly develops in areas that are exposed to the sun such as the face, ears, and hands. However, people with darker skin tones are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma even in areas that are not exposed to UV radiation. Check below some symptoms:
- A flat lesion with a crusted and scaly surface
- A red and firm nodule
- Sores that do not disappear
Melanoma Symptoms
This type of skin cancer may appear anywhere on the body, even in an existing mole. Commonly, it appears on the trunk or face in men and lower legs in women. Furthermore, melanoma may occur in both males and females in areas that have not been exposed to UV radiation. It also may negatively affect people with different skin tones. Therefore, in people with darker skin tones, melanoma mostly occurs in palms or soles and under fingernails or toenails. Check some symptoms below:
- Dark lesions usually appear on the fingertips, toes, palms, soles, and mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, vagina, or anus.
- Itching, burning, or painful lesions
- Small lesions that have irregular borders and may have one of the following colors such as red, pink, white, blue, or blue-black
- Large brownish spots
- Moles that may change in size, color, or feel
Other Symptoms
There are other skin cancer types that occur less frequently compared to previous ones. Check below some symptoms:
- Kaposi sarcoma – This is a skin type that occurs quite rarely. It usually develops in the blood vessels of the skin and may cause purple or red patches to appear on the skin or mucous membranes. In most cases, Kaposi sarcoma occurs in people with weakened immune systems or who take certain medicines such as immunosuppressants.
- Merkel cell carcinoma – This type causes shiny and firm nodules that often appear on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. In most cases, Merkel cell carcinoma occurs on the neck, trunk, or head.
- Sebaceous gland carcinoma – This aggressive cancer type occurs rarely and it begins to develop in the oil glands of the skin. It causes hard and painless nodules that often occur on the eyelid.
If any of the previous symptoms occur or any other that cause concerns, visit a doctor right away.
Causes
Skin cancer appears like other cancer types when DNA changes (mutations) occur. In such cases, the skin cells develop these mutations. DNA contains specific instructions that tell cells when to grow, multiply, and die. DNA mutations give cells different instructions that make them grow and multiply abnormally. When cancer cells become too much, they form a mass called a tumor.
Commonly, this cancer type begins in the top layers of the skin (also called the epidermis). It is a thin layer of the skin that protects the skin cells. Check below the primary epidermis cell types:
- Squamous cells – These cells are located below the skin surface.
- Basal cells – These are located beneath the squamous cells and are responsible for new skin cell production.
- Melanocytes – These cells make melanin, a pigment that gives the skin normal color. This epidermis cell type is located in its lower part. Moreover, when you are exposed to the sun, melanocytes begin to produce more melanin to protect the skin’s deep layers.
In most cases, DNA changes in the skin cells occur due to ultraviolet radiation found in the sun and in lights used in tanning beds. However, not everyone who is exposed to UV radiation develops skin cancer. Therefore, physicians think there are multiple factors that may increase your risk of skin cancer (such as a weakened immune system).
Risk Factors
Healthcare providers have identified some factors that could elevate your risk of developing this cancer type. Check some of them below:
- Fair skin – While anyone may develop skin cancer, people with reduced melanin in the skin are at increased risk of skin damage caused by UV radiation. People with blond or red hair, light-colored eyes, or who sunburn easily are more prone to develop cancer of the skin compared with a person with a darker skin tone.
- History of sunburns – The risk of developing skin cancer increases each time you have one or more blistering sunburns.
- Prolonged sun exposure – Spending a lot of time in the sun without protection (such as clothes or sunscreen) increases the risk of developing this cancer type.
- High-altitude or sunny climates – Those who live in sunny and warm climates are usually exposed more to the sunlight than people who live in colder climates.
- Moles – An increased risk of developing skin cancer have people with moles, especially with abnormal ones called dysplastic nevi. These moles usually look irregular and are larger than normal ones.
- Precancerous skin lesions – There are some skin lesions known as actinic keratosis that may elevate your risk of developing skin cancer. In most cases, precancerous growth appears as scaly and rough patches that may have different colors (such as brown, dark pink, and others).
Additional Risk Factors
- Personal or family history of skin cancer – Previous skin cancer or a parent or sibling with this condition increases significantly your risk of developing it.
- Weakened immunity – Those who have a weakened immune system also are at increased risk of developing skin cancer. It usually is caused by HIV infection, immunosuppressants, and medicines that prevent organ rejection after organ transplants.
- Radiation exposure – A cancer treatment (radiation therapy) also may increase the risk of skin cancer, especially for basal cell carcinoma.
How to Prevent Skin Cancer?
To protect and prevent you from developing skin cancer you should consider the following tips. These include:
- Limit exposure to sunlight – It is not advised to do your outdoor activities between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. because the sun’s rays are the strongest during this time, especially if you live in North America.
- Wear sunscreen – While sunscreen cannot filter completely the UV radiation, especially radiation that may lead to melanoma, it plays an important role in the sun protection program. It is advised to use SPF even on cloudy days because clouds do not stop UV radiation at all.
- Protective clothes – To provide more protection it is advised to wear woven clothes that cover completely the legs and arms and a hat.
- Limit or avoid tanning beds – The lights used in tanning beds also may increase your risk of skin cancer because they emit UV rays.
- Sun-sensitizing medicines – Some antibiotics may make you more sensitive to sunlight. Discuss with your healthcare professional about the adverse reactions to the medicine before taking it.
- Regularly inform your doctor about any skin changes you notice (including moles, freckles, bumps, and birthmarks).
Diagnosis
To diagnose skin cancer, doctors usually perform the following tests. For example:
- A skin examination – During this procedure, doctors will check your skin for irregularities linked with skin cancer. However, other tests may be needed to confirm the condition and rule out others that cause similar symptoms.
- Skin biopsy – If doctors suspect skin cancer, they may take a small sample of the tissue and send it to the laboratory for testing. This sample is looked at under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
Once you are diagnosed with skin cancer, physicians may perform additional tests to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer. It helps your doctor make the best treatment plan for you. They usually perform imaging tests including CT (computerized tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, and others.
Treatment
The treatments often are different among people with cancer of the skin because it depends on several factors. For example the type, extent, and location of the cancer, your age and preferences, existing health problems, and others. Sometimes, small cancers that are limited to the skin’s surface may not need treatment because doctors will remove them completely during a biopsy. Check below for additional skin cancer treatments:
- Cryosurgery – This treatment involves freezing and destroying the actinic keratosis and other small cancers. To freeze the tumors cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen.
- Excisional surgery – It is usually helpful for all skin cancer types. During this surgery, doctors will remove the tumor and a small healthy tissue around it. Sometimes, you may need additional treatment to destroy cancer cells that may remain even after surgery.
- Cryotherapy or curettage and electrodesiccation – This treatment involves removal of the top layers of the tumor and then an electric needle is inserted to destroy cancer cells. Furthermore, liquid nitrogen also can be used to freeze the edges and base of the treated area.
- Radiation therapy – This treatment involves powerful energy beams delivered directly to the tumor to destroy it. Usually, during this procedure, you are lying on a table while a specific machinery moves around you and delivers radiation.
- Chemotherapy – It involves strong medicines to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It usually is recommended for people with metastatic cancer.
- Photodynamic therapy – This treatment is a combination of laser light and medicines to destroy cancerous cells.
- Biological therapy – It involves the immunity to kill cancer cells.
Mohs Surgery
This procedure is usually recommended by doctors for large and recurring cancers, or those that are challenging to treat. During this treatment, surgeons will remove the skin growth layer by layer to examine each one under the microscope for abnormalities. It helps remove the cancer without healthy tissue around it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can skin cancer be cured?
Yes, especially if it is diagnosed in its early stages. For example, the cure rate of localized skin cancers is approximately 99%. In such cases, the only treatment needed is surgery to remove the tumor.
What are the primary skin cancer types?
These include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma.
What are the possible skin cancer complications?
People with this cancer type may experience some complications, especially without treatment. However, some cancer treatments (such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy) also may cause some complications. Check some of them below:
- Recurrence of the cancer despite successful treatment
- Metastasis
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Permanent scarring
- Lymphedema
- Skin changes
- Pain
- Allergic reactions
- Nerve damage
This document does not contain all possible complications. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
