What you need to know about skin cancer, here's the explanation

 

Among oncological diseases, malignant skin tumors rank 3rd in terms of prevalence. In these cases, basal cell carcinoma is most common, when the tumor develops from the cells of the basal (deep) layer of the epidermis. Much less common are squamous cell carcinomas (when the tumor is represented by degenerating squamous epithelial cells), melanomas, and tumors that develop from skin appendages.

Skin cancer occurs mainly in exposed parts of the body, more than 70% of tumors develop on the face. Favorite sites for tumor location are the forehead, nose, corners of the eyes, temporal area, and earlobe.

Reason

The cause of squamous cell and basal cell skin cancer is unknown. The risk factors are excessive insolation (exposure to direct sunlight), ionizing radiation, and exposure to various carcinogenic chemicals on the skin, including the carcinogen tobacco smoke.

The likelihood of disease increases with age. Men and women fall sick with almost the same frequency. Risk factors may also include decreased immunity, which explains the high incidence of skin cancer in AIDS and in patients undergoing immunosuppressive (immune-suppressive) therapy. Family predisposition is also important. There are several precancerous diseases, such as solar keratosis or Bowen's disease.

Diagnosis and treatment

Depending on the shape, skin cancer can appear as superficial erosions, plaques, or nodules. Often the disease is asymptomatic, but ulceration, bleeding, and pain may occur.

The diagnosis of skin cancer is based on histological examination of suspicious skin areas. If necessary, additional studies are performed to clarify the diagnosis or identify possible metastases.

Skin cancer treatment is mostly done by surgery. This may be classical excision of the tumor, try destruction of the tumor, electrocoagulation. Radiation therapy is used as an adjunct method. The prognosis of the disease with timely detection of cancer is favorable. Five-year survival is 95%.

Complications

Squamous cell carcinoma metastasizes much more frequently than basal cell carcinoma. Most often, metastases are found in regional lymph nodes. Metastases significantly worsen the prognosis of the disease.

If there are cases of skin cancer in the family, you need to be observed by a specialist (dermatologist or oncologist) and continue to monitor the condition of the skin yourself.

Prevention

Prevention of skin cancer consists of reducing the impact of physical and chemical carcinogens on the skin (rejection of excess solar ultraviolet radiation, quitting smoking, limiting contact with carcinogens that enter the skin).

It is important to regularly use nourishing and sunscreen, timely treatment of precancerous conditions, long-term scars that do not heal, strict adherence to personal hygiene measures when working with carcinogenic substances.

Individuals with a hereditary predisposition to skin cancer require regular examinations by an oncologist.

Moles and papillomas located on the most injured areas of the skin should be removed and this is not dangerous!