There is a lot of talk about skin cancer, but most people do not know much about the condition or have plenty of misconceptions about it. That is why it is a good idea to get a brief introduction to this condition. Knowing more about this disease will allow you to take effective measures for prevention and screening as well as for diagnosis and treatment, if necessary.
Skin cancer usually refers to melanoma. This is only one type of this cancer, but it is the most serious one, even though it is not the most common. The condition is characterized by the growth of tumor cells in a specific area of the skin.
In most cases, a melanoma will grow on an area of the skin that is unmarked by a mole or another common skin growth, such as a birthmark. The tumor growth resembles closely a typical mole. However, it is characterized by a black or brown color and uneven edges. Often the shape of the growth is asymmetric as well. The melanoma is usually flat. In most cases, such growths are larger than 6 mm in diameter.
It is not uncommon for a sufferer to notice a melanoma growing. Still, skin cancer can often have more notable symptoms. In some cases the melanomas change color while in others they become rounded and lumpy over time. Sometimes the skin growth can become crusty or ooze. In the latter case it can bleed. The bleeding is often combined with severe pain.
Melanomas can sometimes grow inside existing benign moles or other skin growths. However, this is not particularly common. Even though these tumor growths can appear on any area of the skin, they are most likely to form on the upper back. In women, they commonly grow on the legs as well.
The main cause of skin cancer is the constant exposure to the sun without adequate protection. The condition is also known to run in families. In addition, if you have a lot of moles with some of them being abnormal and atypical, you are in higher risk of getting the condition. Still, these moles do not cause cancer automatically.
Skin cancer is diagnosed through identifying and testing any possible tumor growths. In case, the cancer has not affected lymph nodes or other body tissues, the treatment consists of the surgical removal of the growth. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are usually not required.
Skin cancer usually refers to melanoma. This is only one type of this cancer, but it is the most serious one, even though it is not the most common. The condition is characterized by the growth of tumor cells in a specific area of the skin.
In most cases, a melanoma will grow on an area of the skin that is unmarked by a mole or another common skin growth, such as a birthmark. The tumor growth resembles closely a typical mole. However, it is characterized by a black or brown color and uneven edges. Often the shape of the growth is asymmetric as well. The melanoma is usually flat. In most cases, such growths are larger than 6 mm in diameter.
It is not uncommon for a sufferer to notice a melanoma growing. Still, skin cancer can often have more notable symptoms. In some cases the melanomas change color while in others they become rounded and lumpy over time. Sometimes the skin growth can become crusty or ooze. In the latter case it can bleed. The bleeding is often combined with severe pain.
Melanomas can sometimes grow inside existing benign moles or other skin growths. However, this is not particularly common. Even though these tumor growths can appear on any area of the skin, they are most likely to form on the upper back. In women, they commonly grow on the legs as well.
The main cause of skin cancer is the constant exposure to the sun without adequate protection. The condition is also known to run in families. In addition, if you have a lot of moles with some of them being abnormal and atypical, you are in higher risk of getting the condition. Still, these moles do not cause cancer automatically.
Skin cancer is diagnosed through identifying and testing any possible tumor growths. In case, the cancer has not affected lymph nodes or other body tissues, the treatment consists of the surgical removal of the growth. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are usually not required.
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