Skin cancer — the abnormal growth of skin cells — most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of the skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.
Cancer that forms in tissues of the skin. There are several types of skin cancer. Skin cancer that forms in melanocytes (skin cells that make pigment) is called melanoma. Skin cancer that forms in basal cells (small, round cells in the base of the outer layer of skin) is called basal cell carcinoma. Skin cancer that forms in squamous cells (flat cells that form the surface of the skin) is called squamous cell carcinoma
Most Common Causes of Skin Cancer
Use of tanning booths
Contact with certain chemicals—arsenic (miners, sheep shearers, and farmers), hydrocarbons in tar, oils, and soot (may cause squamous cell carcinoma)
Types of Skin Cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC, is a cancer of the outermost cells of the skin. It is the second most common type of skin cancer in the UK. One in five skin cancers (20%) are this type.
If it is left untreated for a long time, squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of the body.
Treatment
High-risk tumors are best treated by wide excision (removal of a large margin of normal skin) or Mohs' Surgery. Mohs surgery is a specialized microscopically controlled surgical technique that removes the entire tumor, and only the tumor. It has the highest cure rate, and is the least disfiguring. If used on larger cancers or on a difficult site a dermatologic surgeon or plastic surgeon may also be needed to repair the defect left after excision.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It typically appears as a small raised bump that has a pearly appearance. It is most commonly seen on areas of the skin that have received excessive sun exposure. These cancers may spread to the skin around the cancer but rarely spread to other parts of the body.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size of the tumor and the general health of the patient. Surgery is usually the treatment used to remove the cancer. There are a number of ways the surgery can be performed:
Electrodessication and Curettage - the cancer is burned and removed with a sharp instrument.
Cryosurgery - the cancer is killed by freezing it.
Malignant melanomas (4 percent of skin cancers) are the most serious type of skin cancer. They often can be treated successfully if caught early but have the potential to be fatal. Melanomas usually begin as a dark brown or black flat spot with irregular borders that later can change shape or color. Malignant melanomas may also grow from a benign mole.
Treatment
Treatment for melanoma begins with the surgical removal of the melanoma and some normal-looking skin around the growth. Removal of the normal-looking skin is known as taking margins, and is done to be sure no melanoma is left behind. Early melanoma limited to the outermost layer of the skin (the epidermis) is known as melanoma in situ (in place), and simple surgical removal produces virtually a 100 percent cure rate.
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