Skin Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Skin Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Understanding

Skin cancer is a skin disorder characterized by abnormal growth of skin cells. Cancer mainly affects skin cells that are exposed to sunlight, such as those on the face, arms and legs.

There are several types of skin cancer, including:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma

  A type of skin cancer that attacks the basal cells. This is a type of cell that works to produce new cells to replace dead skin cells. This cancer generally attacks the face and neck.

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma

  A type of skin cancer that is classified as non-malignant. Generally grows on facial skin, especially the area around the ears and lips. However, it can also attack other areas of the body –especially the parts that have squamous cells.

• Melanoma

  Is a type of skin cancer that develops with disruption of melanocyte cells. That is, this cancer interferes with cells that produce melanin (skin color-forming pigment). Generally looks like a mole or develops from a mole.

These three types of skin cancer are differentiated by examining skin tissue under a microscope.

Symptom

Skin cancer is more common in areas of the skin that are frequently exposed to the sun, namely the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, arms and legs.

Symptoms that appear can vary, depending on the type of skin cancer experienced. Basal cell carcinoma type skin cancer generally takes the form of sores on the skin that don’t heal, are brown in color, with shiny edges.

Squamous cell carcinoma is usually a lump on the skin that gets bigger, scaly and peels easily. Meanwhile, melanoma skin cancer has a shape similar to a mole, but has irregular edges and bleeds easily.

Reason

Skin cancer occurs due to DNA mutations that cause excessive growth of certain cells in the skin. Some conditions that make a person more susceptible to experiencing it are:

• Frequent exposure to ultraviolet light
• The skin often burns in the sun
• Family history of skin cancer
• Low body resistance, for example in people with HIV / AIDS or people who are taking immunosuppressant drugs

Diagnosis

To ensure the presence of skin cancer, in the early stages the doctor will examine the skin that is suspected of having a disorder. If there is a suspicion that it leads to skin cancer, then the doctor will then do a biopsy.

A biopsy is done, which is to take a small amount of tissue from the skin that is not normal. Furthermore, the tissue will be examined under a microscope (histopathological examination).

Treatment

Treatment of skin cancer depends on the type of cancer experienced and the area of ​​skin affected. But in general, as much as possible skin cancer will be removed through surgery. If the cancer is large enough, sometimes radiotherapy (radiation) is needed after the operation is performed.

Here are some forms of treatment that can be done according to the type of skin cancer that attacks it:

• photodynamic therapy, which eliminates cancer cells using light.
• tumor excision or surgery aims to cut the skin layer or part of the skin that is attacked by cancer.
• cryotherapy or cryosurgery, a therapy to remove cancer cells using the freezing method can also help with the treatment process.
• chemotherapy and radiotherapy.