How to recognise early signs and symptoms of skin cancer
Some forms of skin cancers develop where they are visible to the naked eye. Therefore, there is a good chance one can notice them early before it becomes fatal.
One way to recognise skin cancer early is to keep an eye for any new or unusual growths on the skin or changes in existing moles. If you notice anything unusual or suspicious then you should immediately consult your physician or a dermatologist (skin doctor).An unusual skin growth or sore that refuses to heal may be the first indication of a non-melanoma skin cancer. According to health experts skin cancer may initially appear as a nodule, rash or irregular patch on the surface of the skin, adding that these spots may be raised and may ooze or bleed easily.
As the cancer grows, the size or shape of the visible skin mass may change and the cancer may grow into deeper layers of the skin. It may be difficult to differentiate one form of skin cancer from another, therefore, it is best to consult a dermatologist.
Explaining these unusual growths on the skin experts say that “Basal cell carcinomas on the head or neck may first appear as a pale patch of skin or a waxy translucent bump. You may see blood vessels or an indentation in the center of the bump. If the carcinoma develops on the chest, it may look more like a brownish scar or flesh-colored lesion. As the cancer develops, it may bleed if injured or ooze and become crusty in some areas”.
Squamous cell carcinomas may also develop as a lump on the skin. These firm lumps are typically rough on the surface, unlike the smooth and pearly appearance of a basal cell carcinoma. If a nodule doesn't form, the cancer may develop more like a reddish, scaly patch. Unlike a skin rash that goes away with time, these rough, lesion-like patches continue to develop slowly. This type of cancer is typically found on the head, neck, hands or arms, but they may also develop in other areas, such as the genital region or in scars or skin sores.
Merkel cell carcinomas may appear as red or flesh-colored moles that are raised and grow quickly. These small tumors usually appear on that part of the skin that is exposed to the sun, like the face, neck or scalp.
Skin cancer can develop in body parts which are not normally exposed to the sun also. Therefore, in addition to examining the legs, trunk, arms, face and neck, it is important to look for signs of skin cancer in the areas between the toes, underneath nails, palms of the hands and soles of the feet, genitals and even the eyes.
Skin cancer is not specific to any particular type of skin and it affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions. When melanoma occurs in people with dark skin tones, it's more likely to occur in areas not normally exposed to the sun, such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
The most common types of skin cancer are:
Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs in those body parts which are exposed to the sun, such as your neck or face.
Basal cell carcinoma may appear as:
A pearly or waxy bump
A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
A bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns
Squamous cell carcinoma
Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs on sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your face, ears and hands. This appears more likely on people with darker skin and more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma on areas that aren't often exposed to the sun.
Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as:
A firm, red nodule
A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
Melanoma
Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole and becomes cancerous. Melanoma most often appears on the face or the trunk of affected men. In women, this type of cancer mostly develops on the lower legs. In both men and women, melanoma can occur on skin that hasn't been exposed to the sun.
Melanoma can also affect people of any skin tone. People with darker skin tones, melanoma tends to occur on the palms or soles, or under the fingernails or toenails.
Melanoma symptoms include:
A large brownish spot with darker speckles
A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, pink, white, blue or blue-black
A painful lesion that itches or burns
Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus
Signs and symptoms of less common forms of skin cancers
Kaposi sarcoma. This rare form of skin cancer develops in the skin's blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes. Kaposi sarcoma mainly occurs in people who have a weakened immune system, such as people with AIDS, and in people taking medications that suppress their natural immunity, such as people who've undergone organ transplants. Other people with an increased risk of Kaposi sarcoma include young men living in Africa or older men of Italian or Eastern European Jewish heritage.
Merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma causes firm, shiny nodules that occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. Merkel cell carcinoma is most often found on the head, neck and the trunk.
Sebaceous gland carcinoma. This uncommon and aggressive cancer originates in the oil glands in the skin. Sebaceous gland carcinomas — which usually appear as hard, painless nodules — can develop anywhere, but mostly occurs on the eyelid, where they're frequently mistaken for other eyelid problems.
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