Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma)
Skin cancer - 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. Skin cancer that forms in neuroendocrine cells (cells that release hormones in response to signals from the nervous system) is called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. Most skin cancers form in older people on parts of the body exposed to the sun or in people who have weakened immune systems.
The skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection, while helping to control body temperature and storing water, fat, and vitamin D. Though skin has several layers, the two main layers are the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer). Skin cancer begins in the epidermis, which is made up of 3 kinds of cells:
Squamous cells - thin, flat cells that for the top layer of the epidermis.
Basal cells - round cells under the squamous cells.
Melanocytes - cells in the lower part of the epidermis, that make the pigment of the skin.
Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body. It is more common on body parts that are exposed to sunlight, such as face, neck, hands, arms, and legs. There are several types of cancer that start in the skin. The most common types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are nonmelanoma skin cancers. Skin color and exposure to sunlight can affect the risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis. Risk factors for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma include:
· Exposure to a lot of natural or artificial sunlight.
· Scars or burns on the skin.
· Exposure to arsenic.
· Having a fair complexion (blond or red hair, light skin, green or blue eyes, history of freckling).
· Having chronic skin inflammation or skin ulcers.
· Receiving radiation treatment.
· Use of immunosuppressive drugs.
· Having actinic keratosis.
Nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis often appear as a change in the skin, thus a doctor should be consulted if any changes are noticed. Possible signs of nonmelanoma skin cancer include:
· A sore that does not heal.
· Small, raised, smooth, shiny and waxy.
· Small, raised, smooth, red or reddish-brown.
· Flat, rough, red or brown, and scaly.
· Scaly, bleeding, or crusty.
· Similar to a scar and firm.
Tests to detect, diagnose, and stage skin cancer are:
Skin examination - a doctor or a nurse checks patient’s skin for bumps or spots that might be abnormal, such as in shape, size, texture, and color.
Biopsy - all or part of the abnormal-looking skin is removed and viewed under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present. There are 3 main types of skin biopsies:
Shave biopsy - a sterile razor blade is used to “shave-off” the abnormal-looking growth.
Punch biopsy - a special instrument called a punch or a trephine is used to remove a circle of tissue from the abnormal-looking growth.
Excisional biopsy - a scalpel is used to remove the entire growth.
Treatment for skin cancer
Treatment options greatly depend on the stage of the cancer, whether the tumor has spread deeper into the skin. Size, location of the tumor, patient’s general health, and type of cancer also determine how the treatment will be conducted.
Skin cancer - 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. Skin cancer that forms in neuroendocrine cells (cells that release hormones in response to signals from the nervous system) is called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. Most skin cancers form in older people on parts of the body exposed to the sun or in people who have weakened immune systems.
The skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection, while helping to control body temperature and storing water, fat, and vitamin D. Though skin has several layers, the two main layers are the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer). Skin cancer begins in the epidermis, which is made up of 3 kinds of cells:
Squamous cells - thin, flat cells that for the top layer of the epidermis.
Basal cells - round cells under the squamous cells.
Melanocytes - cells in the lower part of the epidermis, that make the pigment of the skin.
Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body. It is more common on body parts that are exposed to sunlight, such as face, neck, hands, arms, and legs. There are several types of cancer that start in the skin. The most common types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are nonmelanoma skin cancers. Skin color and exposure to sunlight can affect the risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis. Risk factors for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma include:
· Exposure to a lot of natural or artificial sunlight.
· Scars or burns on the skin.
· Exposure to arsenic.
· Having a fair complexion (blond or red hair, light skin, green or blue eyes, history of freckling).
· Having chronic skin inflammation or skin ulcers.
· Receiving radiation treatment.
· Use of immunosuppressive drugs.
· Having actinic keratosis.
Nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis often appear as a change in the skin, thus a doctor should be consulted if any changes are noticed. Possible signs of nonmelanoma skin cancer include:
· A sore that does not heal.
· Small, raised, smooth, shiny and waxy.
· Small, raised, smooth, red or reddish-brown.
· Flat, rough, red or brown, and scaly.
· Scaly, bleeding, or crusty.
· Similar to a scar and firm.
Tests to detect, diagnose, and stage skin cancer are:
Skin examination - a doctor or a nurse checks patient’s skin for bumps or spots that might be abnormal, such as in shape, size, texture, and color.
Biopsy - all or part of the abnormal-looking skin is removed and viewed under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present. There are 3 main types of skin biopsies:
Shave biopsy - a sterile razor blade is used to “shave-off” the abnormal-looking growth.
Punch biopsy - a special instrument called a punch or a trephine is used to remove a circle of tissue from the abnormal-looking growth.
Excisional biopsy - a scalpel is used to remove the entire growth.
Treatment for skin cancer
Treatment options greatly depend on the stage of the cancer, whether the tumor has spread deeper into the skin. Size, location of the tumor, patient’s general health, and type of cancer also determine how the treatment will be conducted.
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What is Cancer Glossary of Cancer/Treatment Terms Types of scans to detect cancer
Common Types of Cancer*
Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Leukemia (adult) Leukemia (child)
Lung Cancer Melanoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma) Thyroid Cancer
* Common Types of Cancer - cancers diagnosed with greatest frequency in the United States
What is Cancer Glossary of Cancer/Treatment Terms Types of scans to detect cancer
Common Types of Cancer*
Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Leukemia (adult) Leukemia (child)
Lung Cancer Melanoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma) Thyroid Cancer
* Common Types of Cancer - cancers diagnosed with greatest frequency in the United States
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© Copyright 2015. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
home | about us |get involved | donate | resources | contact us
© Copyright 2015. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.