Skin Cancer: Types, Symptoms and Treatment

Table of Contents

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is defined as the uncontrolled proliferation of aberrant cells in the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer, produced by unrepaired DNA damage that causes mutations.
Skin cancer, as other cancers is a condition characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. Skin cancer occurs when cancer begins in the skin.
These mutations cause skin cells to proliferate and produce malignant tumors.
Among all types of cancer, skin cancer holds the highest occurrence rate.

Key Facts

Given that the skin is the body’s largest organ, it’s expected that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in humans.
Skin cancer can be categorized into two main types: melanoma and non-melanoma.
According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma skin cancer accounts for only 1% of all cases, although it has a higher mortality rate.
Globally, around 2 to 3 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancers and approximately 132,000 cases of melanoma skin cancers are detected annually.
Globally, melanoma of the skin ranks as the 17th most commonly diagnosed cancer. It is the 13th most common male cancer and the 15th most common female cancer.
Skin cancer accounts for one in every three cancer diagnoses.

Types of Skin Cancer

Melanoma skin cancer can be classified into several forms, including nodular melanoma, superficial spreading melanoma, acral lentiginous, and lentigo maligna.
Non-melanoma skin cancer is a type of cancer that develops slowly in the uppermost layers of the skin.
Non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC), account for the vast majority of cancer cases.

1. Melanoma

Melanoma is a cancer that develops in cells called melanocytes.
Melanocytes generate melanin, a brown pigment that gives skin its color and protects it from some of the sun’s harmful UV radiation.
Because it can spread to other parts of your body, this is the most serious type of skin cancer.
Melanoma can develop within an existing mole on the skin or arise suddenly as a dark area on the skin that is different from the rest.
Early detection and treatment are critical.

2. Basal cell carcinoma

The most frequent type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
BCC is more common in those with pale skin. This skin cancer affects people of color as well.
BCCs are commonly identified as a flesh-colored spherical growth, a pearl-like lump, or a pinkish patch of skin.
BCCs typically appear after years of sun exposure or indoor tanning.
BCCs are most commonly found on the head, neck, and arms, although they can appear anywhere on the body, including the chest, belly, and legs.

3. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

The second most prevalent form of skin cancer is SCC, also known as Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Individuals with fair skin have a higher likelihood of developing SCC. Individuals with darker skin tones are also susceptible to developing this type of skin cancer.
SCC often manifests as a firm, red bump, a scaly patch, or a recurring sore that heals and then reopens.
SCC forms in skin that is frequently exposed to sunlight, such as the rim of the ear, face, neck, arms, chest, and back.
SCC can cause injury and deformity by growing deep into the skin.

4. Sebaceous carcinoma

Sebaceous carcinoma is an uncommon type of cancer that develops in a skin oil gland. The eyelids are typically the site of sebaceous cancer.
The initial indications of sebaceous carcinoma may include a painless lump or a thickened area of skin on the eyelid.
On other body parts, it could result in a lump on the skin that bleeds or develops a scab.

Causes of Skin Cancer

Overexposure to sunlight, particularly when there is sunburn and blistering, is the primary cause of skin cancer.
Skin DNA is harmed by UV radiation from the sun, which leads to the formation of abnormal cells.
These abnormal cells proliferate quickly and incoherently, aggregating into a mass of cancer cells.

Risk Factors

The body areas that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the ears, face, neck, and forearms, are where non-melanoma skin cancers are most common.
In some nations, there is a strong correlation between non-melanoma skin cancer incidence rising with decreasing latitude, or increased UV radiation levels.
In people with fair skin, the greatest risk factor for malignant melanoma is a large number of atypical nevi (moles).
Malignant melanoma is more prevalent in those with fair or red hair, blue eyes, and a pale skin.
Malignant melanoma development appears to be significantly influenced by high, intermittent solar UV exposure.
Malignant melanoma incidence in white people typically rises with decreasing latitude, with Australia having the highest recorded incidence.
Numerous epidemiological research back up a favorable correlation between past sunburns, especially those that occurred early in life.
It is unclear what impact cumulative sun exposure has in the onset of malignant melanoma. However, those who have a history of solar keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancers, both of which are signs of cumulative UV exposure, are at a higher risk of developing malignant melanoma.

High Risk Groups

Fair complexion
Light-colored hair
Blue, green, or hazel eyes
A history of severe sunburns
A lot of moles and freckles
Family history of skin cancer

Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer

A change in skin, usually a new growth or a change in an existing growth or mole, is the most prominent warning sign of skin cancer.
Symptoms of skin cancer include:
A fresh mole or a mole that bleeds, changes size, form, or color.
A lump that is pearly or waxy on your face, neck, or ears.
A flat hump or patch that is pink, crimson, or brown in color.
Skin may have spots that resemble scars.
Sores with a depression in the middle, a crusty appearance, or frequent bleeding.
A wound or sore that won’t go away, heals, and then reappears.
Scratchy, scaly lesions that may itch, bleed, and crust over.

Stages of Skin Cancer

a) Stage 0: Carcinoma in situ, also known as Stage 0, indicates the presence of cancer cells in their original location, without spreading or invading the surrounding areas of the skin.

b) Stage 1: In Stage 1, the cancer measures 2cm or smaller in size.

c) Stage 2: Stage 2 signifies that the cancer is larger than 2cm but not exceeding 4cm in size.

d) Stage 3: Stage 3 can have various implications:

It can indicate that the skin cancer has not spread to any lymph nodes, but it:
Measures larger than 4cm in size.
Has invaded nearby bones, causing minimal damage.
Has extended into the space surrounding a nerve.
Has grown beneath the layer of fat beneath the skin (subcutaneous tissue).

e) Stage 4: Stage 4 skin cancer encompasses cancer of any size that has spread to one or more lymph nodes. Additionally, it signifies one or more of the following:

The cancer has penetrated the outer covering of a lymph node.
The cancer has spread to numerous lymph nodes.
It has reached a single lymph node that measures larger than 3cm but smaller than 6cm.
It has spread to lymph nodes on the opposite side of the body from the skin cancer.

Screening

Screening for skin cancer may include examinations by both the patient and the health care professional.
Skin cancer can be screened by using both a visual self-exam by the patient and a clinical examination by a healthcare professional.
A doctor or nurse will examine skin to look for moles, birthmarks, or other pigmented areas that have unusual-looking color, size, form, or texture.

Diagnosis of Skin Cancer

A biopsy may be done to diagnose skin cancer.
During a biopsy, a sample of tissue is taken and sent to a lab to be examined under a microscope by a pathologist.

Prevention of Skin Cancer

Stay in shaded areas, particularly between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Prevent sunburn.
Avoid tanning and never utilize UV tanning beds.
Protect yourself by wearing clothing that covers your skin, including a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses that block UV rays.
Utilize a broad-spectrum sunscreen (UVA/UVB) with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. When engaging in extended outdoor activities, apply a water-resistant sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection and has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or greater.
Apply 1 ounce (equivalent to 2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outdoors. Remember to reapply the sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or intense sweating.
Keep newborns away from direct sunlight. Start using sunscreen on babies who are over six months old.
Regularly examine your skin from head to toe each month.
It is recommended to schedule an annual visit with a dermatologist for a comprehensive skin examination conducted by a professional.

Treatment of Skin Cancer

1. Surgery

Actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can all be treated surgically using various techniques.

2. Radiation therapy

High-energy x-rays or other forms of radiation are used in radiation therapy, a cancer treatment, to either kill or stop the growth of cancer cells.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that employs medications to kill cancer cells or prevent them from proliferating in order to stop the growth of cancer cells.

4. Photodynamic therapy