Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer Causes
The most known cause of skin cancer is Ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Other causes include the use of tanning booths, immunosuppression ? destruction of the immune system, exposure to abnormal levels of x-rays and contact with chemicals such as arsenic.
Skin Cancer Definition
Skin cancer builds up in the epidermis so the tumor is usually evident which makes cancer detectable in early stage. There are types of skin cancer which are named after the kind of skin cell that is affected. Types: - Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) - Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) - Malignant Melanoma
Skin Cancer Diagnosis
If there are mole suspected to cause cancer a visit to the dermatologist is advised. Biopsy is done for suspicious area of skin. If the test reveals that the patient has skin cancer other test are performed such as blood tests, chest x-ray and others. Other people can determine skin cancer on their own just by doing skin self-examination.
Skin Cancer Symptoms and Signs
Known symptoms are changes in the skin that do not heal, skin ulcers, changes in existing moles and discoloration. For BCC symptoms are raised, pearly, smooth, bump on the sun-exposed skin of the head, shoulders or neck. For SCC red, scaling, thickened patch on the sun-exposed skin. For melanomas brown to black lesions.
Skin Cancer Treatment
Removal of the lesion is the most common treatment. Radiation therapy and cryotherapy provides sufficient control of the disease for low-risk disease. Moh's micrographic surgery is used to remove the cancer that has the smallest amount of surrounding tissue and edges are immediately checked to see if tumor is present.
Drugs used for treatment of Skin Cancer
Aldara