Skin cancer develops in skin cells when the DNA that controls cell growth gets damaged. Then the cells grow abnormally and out of control. It starts to spread to other skin cells and then to other organs.
The most common cause of skin cancer is exposure to UV rays from the sun or tanning devices. Skin cancer can happen anywhere, but most cases appear in areas exposed directly to the sun, like the face and neck.
In this article, we will learn about the types of skin cancer, its symptoms, causes, and stages of development in detail.
Types of Skin Cancer
Skin cancers are named after the type of cells where the cancer starts. There are four main types of skin cancer, which are:
1. Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is a cancer that starts in the basal cells of the skin in the middle layer of the epidermis. It's the most common type of skin cancer and the most common form of all cancers.
Basal cell carcinoma usually appears on sun-exposed skin like the face, neck, and hands. If not treated early, the tumor can spread to nearby tissues causing serious problems.
Most basal cell cancers grow slowly and can usually be treated without harm if caught early. This type rarely spreads from the original spot to other body parts and rarely threatens life.
2. Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer affecting the squamous cells of the skin. These are thin, flat cells in the outer layer of the epidermis. It's the second most common form of skin cancer.
Squamous cell carcinoma often appears in sun-exposed areas and may look like a warty growth or a rough, scaly sore.
Squamous cell carcinoma grows and spreads fast if untreated. This cancer type is quite treatable when diagnosed early.
3. Melanoma
Melanoma is a cancer that forms in the pigment cells of the skin. These cells are in the lower part of the epidermis. They make melanin, which gives skin its color. It’s the least common type of cancer.
Melanomas often show up on the trunk (chest and back) in men and on the legs in women. They can also develop on the neck and face.
Melanoma is serious because it’s likely to spread to other parts of the body if not treated early.
4. Merkel-cell carcinoma
Merkel-cell carcinoma starts in Merkel cells in the skin. These cells connect to nerves and send touch signals to the brain.
Merkel-cell cancer can look like painless ulcers or bumps that are hard or soft. They usually show up on sun-exposed areas of the body. Sometimes they open up and form ulcers.
Merkel-cell cancer is very serious because it grows fast and is likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Skin cancer symptoms
Skin cancer symptoms vary from person to person and also depend on the type of cancer. Early signs of skin cancer can be confused with common moles, pimples, or warts.
See a dermatologist if you notice new, unusual, or changing spots that itch, change, or bleed.
The most common signs of skin cancer are:
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Noticeable changes in the size, color, or shape of a sore or skin spot.
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A skin growth that looks like a wart (corn or callus).
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A painful or itchy spot on the skin that doesn’t change.
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An unhealed spot on the skin that bleeds or becomes scaly.
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A skin sore or tumor with raised edges and scales or central bleeding.
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A red, flaky, or rough spot on the skin.
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A growth like a scar without clear edges.
These symptoms happen with certain types of skin cancer
Symptoms of basal cell carcinoma include:-
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Small, soft, pale spots on the skin.
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A small, pink, pearly skin bump.
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A waxy, pearly lump on the skin.
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A scar-like area in yellow or white color.
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Soft growth with a dent or dimple in the middle.
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Bleeding or pus-filled ulcer.
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Ulcer peeling with a crust.
Symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma include:-
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Red, scaly patch.
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Open ulcer.
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Rough, thick, or wart-like skin area.
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Raised growth with a dip in the center.
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A sore that peels, itches, or bleeds.
Symptoms of melanoma include:-
Melanoma tumors are often found by checking skin growths using the ABCDE guide as follows:-
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A = Asymmetry assessmentMost melanomas are asymmetrical (the two halves are not the same).
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B = Border assessmentBorders of cancer tend to be jagged or scalloped and not well defined.
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C = Color assessmentMelanomas usually have different shades of brown, tan or black. They can also have white, red, or blue areas.
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D for DiameterMelanomas tend to be the size of a pencil eraser or bigger.
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E for EvolutionMelanomas change in size, shape, color, or develop a raised spot on the skin.
Merkel cell carcinoma symptoms include:
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Grows fast.
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Pink, red, or purple color.
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Not painful.
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Growth on the head or neck.
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Usually starts after age 50.
Causes of skin cancer
Over 80% of skin cancer cases come from too much UV exposure. UV rays come from things like the sun, tanning beds, and tanning lamps.
UV light damages the DNA in your skin when it hits it. The longer and stronger the sun exposure, the higher the skin cancer risk.
Also, the more sunburns you get, the more damage builds up over time. This damage raises the chance of genetic mutations that cause skin cancer.
Factors that increase the risk of skin cancer
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Having a previous case of non-melanoma skin cancer.
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Having a family history of skin cancer.
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Having a large number of moles or freckles.
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Having naturally red or blonde hair.
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Having pale skin that burns easily and rarely tans.
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Having light blue or green eyes.
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Weakened immune system due to medications or some medical conditions.
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Previous treatment with radiation therapy.
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Exposure to arsenic.
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A long history of sunburn.
In the end, the whole skin should be checked regularly for any symptoms mentioned in the article. Also, see a dermatologist right away if you find any to know if it’s a sign of skin cancer, another skin condition, or just normal tissue.
