What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. It is a tumor, an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, on the skin. The skin appears to change in texture or color and a sore or nodule may develop on your skin. These skin changes usually can be seen with the naked eye, and 90% can be cured if treated early.

High-risk professions for skin cancer include farmers, other sun-exposed outdoor workers, and vehicle drivers (their sun-exposed arm).

There are 3 common types of skin cancer:

• basal cell carcinoma

• squamous cell carcinoma

• melanoma.

Basal cell carcinoma accounts for over 75% of all skin cancers. It usually occurs in middle-aged and elderly people, especially those who are fair-skinned. It is more common in occupations with prolonged sun exposure. Basal cell carcinoma develops slowly and causes a lump or a small, painless, smooth-edged ulcer. It most often occurs on the face, head, and neck.

Squamous cell carcinoma also results from too much sun exposure. In addition, pipe and cigar smoking can cause this type of cancer on the lip. It may occur anywhere on the body as a small, usually painless (but sometimes bleeding), enlarging skin ulcer or irregularity. It is common on the lower lip.

Basal cell carcinoma has a very small likelihood of spread to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma spreads to lymph nodes in advanced cases. Both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma have excellent cure rates when treated promptly.

A melanoma usually develops from an existing benign mole. Melanoma is not as common as the other 2 types of skin cancer, but it is more serious and its treatment is different. For more information on melanoma, see here Melanoma.

How does it occur?

The most common and easily preventable cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light (sunlight or tanning beds). Genetic (hereditary) factors play a part in the tendency to develop skin cancer. Some diseases and some chemicals, such as petroleum products, increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Also, if you have another type of cancer, the cancer may spread to your skin.

What are the symptoms?

Many skin cancers occur on the face, but they can appear anywhere on the skin. Symptoms of skin cancer may include:

• sores or changes in the skin that do not heal

• a craterlike lesion (ulcer) on the skin that may not hurt

• change in color, shape, or thickness of a mole

• bleeding

• itching

• pain.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider diagnoses skin cancer by:

• looking at your skin

• asking about your symptoms and medical history and if the affected area of skin has changed in any way

• performing a small biopsy (removing a small piece of tissue for microscopic analysis) or an excisional biopsy (removing the entire growth) for analysis if suspicious areas are present.

How is it treated?

The treatment for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is removal of the growth using one or more of the following procedures. The choice of treatment depends on the type of cancer and its size and position on the skin.

• shaving off the growth flat with the skin surface, then cauterizing (electrically burning) the surrounding area

• cutting out the affected area and closing the wound with sutures (stitches)

• Mohs’ chemosurgery (a method of removing and analyzing layers of the growth and surrounding skin)

• freezing the affected area using liquid nitrogen.

Skin cancer that is untreated or partially treated may result in more severe cancer problems.

If you have previously had skin cancer, you are at a higher risk for developing skin cancer again. Skin cancers may recur in the same location. Your health care provider will want to examine you at 6- to 12-month intervals. Also, see your provider if you discover any new changes on your skin.

How long will the effects last?

The effects will last as long as the cancer cells exist and grow. Unless they are removed, the cancer cells can spread to lymph nodes and internal organs. Learn the characteristics of potentially dangerous skin growths, and see your health care provider at the first sign of anything suspicious forming on your skin.

How can I help prevent skin cancer?

Avoid being exposed to too much sunlight. Wear clothing and hats that cover you, and avoid midday sun whenever possible. Use sunscreen lotions to protect against UV light when you must be outdoors. The higher the SPF (sun protection factor), the greater the protection. Use a lotion with an SPF value of at least 15. If you are allergic to PABA, use PABA-free sunscreen lotions. And remember that UV rays from the sun can penetrate clouds and cause sunburn or damage even on cloudy days.

If you are at high risk because of previous or ongoing sun exposure, see your health care provider for a baseline skin exam.

If you have a history of sun-related skin changes, such as actinic (solar) keratoses, see your health care provider regularly on a schedule he or she recommends.

To get more information about skin cancer, talk to your health care provider or contact:

• American Cancer Society, Inc. 1599 Clifton Road, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345) http://www.cancer.org

• AMC Cancer Research Center and Foundation 800-321-1557 http://www.amc.org

• Cancer Information Service 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237) http://cis.nci.nih.gov

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

Copyright © 2004 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.