Peggy
I walked into the exam room to see Peggy, an overweight blond-haired, blue-eyed, middle-aged Irish woman who was wrapped in a blue paper gown. She was sweating profusely. After a brief greeting, she blurted out, “I think I have skin cancer.”
She felt perfectly fine otherwise. She had no pain or itching or any other type of symptoms related to her skin. However, Peggy was convinced that she was joining the ranks of her older sister, father, and maternal grandfather, all of whom had been diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in the past.
Tina
Later, that same day, Tina, a young brunette Wall Street trader also visited the office with concerns that she had skin cancer. She noticed a new brown colored growth on her right upper leg.
Tina confessed that she had been a tanning bed addict as a teenager. She also said that she loved the sun. Furthermore, she had suffered many a sunburn as a child. In addition, Tina admitted that she never used sunscreen except for the small amount that might have been present in some of her makeup.
She couldn’t think of anything else since she noticed that harmless appearing pencil eraser-sized growth several weeks ago. With the help of Google, Tina matched her mind’s image of her growth with a photo of a biopsy-proven skin cancer she found on the Internet. And, so, she self-diagnosed her lesion as not just any skin cancer. She was sure she had malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.
Tina was unable to concentrate at work. By her own admission, she spent hours ruminating over the possibility of surgery, chemotherapy, and ultimately, not being around for her 36th birthday.
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is the out-of-control growth of cells found in the uppermost layer of skin, the epidermis. Due to damaged DNA that triggers mutations, the cells multiple rapidly and form malignant skin cancers.
The epidermis is the most superficial of the skin’s main layers (the dermis and hypodermis lying below). It covers the entire external surface of the body. It is comprised of 30 – 50 layers of cells with the thickness varying depending on the body region.
The deepest layer of the epidermis is called the stratum basale. The majority of cells in this layer are columnar shaped cells called basal cells. These cells continually divide and move upward producing the cells above, the keratinocytes.
Types of skin cancer
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Basal cell carcinoma
Skin cancers that arise from the out-of-control growth of these basal cells are called basal cell carcinomas. This is the most common form of skin cancer. It is frequently found on sun-exposed surfaces of the body like the head and neck.
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Melanoma
In addition to these active basal cells, pigment-producing cells called melanocytes are also found within the basal layer. The pigment produced by these cells is responsible for skin color.
Out of control growth of these pigment-producing cells results in the development of one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. This type of skin cancer is far more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other parts of the body if not treated at an early stage. Fortunately, it is less common than other types of skin cancer.
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Merkel cell carcinoma
Another less common type of cell found within the basal layer of the skin is the called merkel cell. These cells act as touch receptors sending information about light touch and pressure sensation to the brain. These cells are found associated with a nerve cell and are most dense on the fingertips and lips where touch sensation is most acute.
When these merkel cells grow out-of-control they develop into a skin cancer called merkel cell carcinoma. Like melanoma, the prognosis for this type of tumor can also be poor if not found and treated in its earliest stages. Fortunately, this type of skin cancer is also less common than some of the other types of skin cancers.
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Squamous cell carcinoma
As the basal cells divide and move upward they form thin flatter skin cells that make up the outermost layers of the epidermis. These cells will eventually shed and be replaced by newer underlying cells. These flat cells are called squamous cells.
Abnormal changes in the DNA of these cells, which cause them to divide uncontrollably, leads to the development of squamous cell carcinomas, the second most common skin cancer type. When this cancer is found early, it is very treatable.
Skin cancer is easy to self-detect
One in five Americans is expected to develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Anyone can get it, regardless of skin color, age or gender.
Fortunately, skin cancer is one of the easiest of all cancers to diagnose. Further, if it is found early, it is relatively easy to treat. Because they are almost always visible on the skin, if the person is looking for changes, they are likely to find a skin cancer early.
The moral of the story: do self-examinations of your skin monthly.
Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body, so be thorough. Check the nails, between the toes, and inside your mouth. Use a hand mirror to check hard to see areas, including your back and private places. When shampooing, feel around the scalp and glimpse through the hair.
Related content: A Little Lump Or Bump On Your Eyelid? Beware, It Could Be Skin Cancer
Seek a definitive diagnosis early
You should seek a definitive diagnosis early if any of the following changes occur in your skin:
- You have a new growth or a wound that isn’t healing (don’t wait more than 2 or 3 weeks to see if that wound goes away on its own)
- There’s a spot on your skin that looks different than everything else
- You notice a change in an existing mole or birthmark
- If you discover an area of skin that scales, bleeds, turns red, or changes in any way (size, shape or color)
Make an appointment with a dermatologist
After you have performed regular skin checks and once you discover a suspicious lesion, you have done your job. Now it’s time to see a dermatologist, a skin care specialist who can determine the definitive diagnosis. This may require a minor outpatient surgical procedure known as a biopsy. Occasionally, a more significant surgery will be required.
The biopsy specimen will be sent to the pathology lab who can determine whether or not the lesion was a skin cancer and, if it was, what type. Found early, skin cancer, even melanoma, is very treatable.
As for Peggy and Tina, happy to announce, neither were diagnosed with skin cancer.
The bottom line
If you find a new growth on your skin how do you know if it is cancer? The simple answer; you don’t. The average layperson does not know how to diagnose skin cancer, nor are you expected to. But it is your job to help find it!
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Articles about skin cancer by Fayne Frey, M.D.:
- Three Rare Skin Cancers You Should Know About
- What You Need to Know About Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Melanoma: What You Need to Know About Diagnosis and Treatment
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Diagnosis, Staging, Risks, Treatment & Prevention
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This post was first published October 21, 2018. It has been reviewed and updated by the author for republication on April 15, 2020
Fayne Frey, MD
Website:
https://FryFace.com/
Fayne Frey, M.D., is a board-certified clinical and surgical dermatologist practicing in West Nyack, New York, where she specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. She is a nationally recognized expert in the effectiveness and formulation of over-the-counter skincare products.
She is a frequent speaker in many venues where she captivates audiences with her wry observations regarding the skincare industry. She has consulted for numerous media outlets, including NBC, USA Today, and, the Huffington Post. and has also shared her expertise on both cable and major TV outlets.
Dr. Frey is the Founder of FryFace.com, an educational skincare information and product selection service website that clarifies and simplifies the overwhelming choice of effective, safe and affordable products encountered in the skincare aisles.
Dr. Frey is a graduate of the Weill Cornell Medical College and is a fellow of both the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
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Skin cancer is caused by too much sun exposure. Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) rays that can alter the genetic material in skin cells, causing mutations.
Also things to avoid to much exposure to are sunlamps, tanning booths, and x-rays. As these instruments can also damage skin and cause cancerous growths.
BCC and SCC have been linked to chronic sun exposure.
Melanoma is linked to excessive sunbathing that causes your skin to be scorched and blistered. It is reported that one blistering sunburn episode during childhood can double a person’s risk for developing melanoma later in life.
The people most vulnerable to melanoma are –
Fair-skinned people
Redheads
blue-eyed blonds
people with pigment disorders
people with many freckles or moles.
Workers exposed to substances such as coal tar, radium, insecticides and other carcinogens.
Without a doubt, exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the most common cause of skin cancer as the main way of preventing this disease is by limiting skin’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Hereditary may play a part in whether or not you eventually succumb to the disease.
It is important that you perform self examinations regularly – looking at every inch of your body, if you do not know what to look for, go to your doctor who can explain the different skin cancers can look. If you find a growth, have it examined by your doctor or dermatologist immediately.
All potentially cancerous skin growths must be confirmed by a cancer diagnosis. Always go to your doctor to have them checked out. They should never be removed by shaving, burning, or freezing because those techniques do not allow pathologic examination of the growth.
Skin cancer has had a profound history in my family so it would probably be a good idea to get myself checked out sometime soon. Now as you said here, it would be wise to go and see a doctor about it as soon as possible. I’ll have to find one near me and then schedule an appointment.
Important information about treatment of skin cancer. Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you pointed out that skin cancer is treatable if found early, so it’s important to get any suspicious skin growths looked at by a professional. My husband has a new mole that I’m slightly worried about. I think I’ll take your advice and have him go to a dermatologist soon.
Nice Article to read and gain knowledge.
Thanks
So informative content. thanks for sharing.