
Skin Cancer Signs, Symptoms & Causes
Skin cancer is a medical condition that is caused by the proliferation of abnormal cells within the skin tissues. Generally, as the skin cells age and die, new skin cells are formed to replace them. However, when this process is not functioning as it should, the growth of skin cells increases abnormally. These cells can be benign (non-cancerous) and do not spread or cause harm, or sometimes, they can be cancerous. If skin cancer is not detected in its early stages, it may spread to surrounding tissue or other parts of the body. Fortunately, most cases of skin cancer are reversible if discovered and treated in their early stages. Schedule a skin cancer screening at Wockhardt Hospitals today to catch it early and ensure your well-being. Understanding Skin Cancer Skin cancer is a cancerous disease that involves the growth of abnormal skin cells. Normal skin cells have a fixed cell cycle; they grow old and die eventually within that time period. However, in the case of skin cancer, this process doesn’t occur as it should and causes faster growth of skin cells. These rapidly growing cells can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous in nature. The primary cause of skin cancer is overexposure to sunlight. Skin cancer develops when mutations occur in the DNA of skin cells, which result from an external trigger, often ultraviolet light. The mutation causes skin cells to start growing uncontrollably and forming a mass of cancer cells. Skin cancer is most commonly observed in areas of the skin exposed to the sun, mainly due to ultraviolet light. However, it may also occur in areas not exposed to sunlight. Getting checked by a doctor if any noticeable changes occur on any part of the skin can lead to early detection and treatment of skin cancer, even if it is not malignant. Early detection of skin cancer provides the greatest chance for successful treatment. Types of Skin Cancer Skin cancer usually occurs in exposed parts of the body, such as the face, scalp, neck, chest, arms, and legs. However, it may also occur in areas which don’t receive any sunlight, such as the palms, under the fingernails, and around the genitalia. Based on which part of the skin has been affected, skin cancer can be categorised into three main types: Causes of Skin Cancer Skin cancer caused by changes/mutations in the DNA of skin cells is the most prominent one. These mutations cause skin cells to proliferate out of control and aggregate into a mass of cancerous cells. Most skin cancer causes are unidentified. Risk factors, however, may increase a person’s likelihood of getting skin cancers like Melanoma. 1. Exposure to UV light – Multiple types of skin cancer are significantly increased by UV radiation exposure. Among the sources of UV light exposure are: 2. Moles – Skin cancer is not usually indicated by moles. However, if one has a lot of them, they have a higher chance of turning into melanoma. 3. Family History – A person’s chance of developing melanoma increases if their parents, siblings, or children do have the condition. Experts advise the following if a person has a family history of skin cancer: 4. Compromised Immune System – It is more likely that someone may acquire skin cancer if other illnesses or medical procedures weaken their immune system. The immune system of a person could be damaged if: 5. Older Age – Although skin cancer can occur in adolescents and young adults, it usually affects those over the age of 30. Symptoms of Skin Cancer An abnormal growth on the skin, such as a mole, is the primary skin cancer symptom. Some other symptoms may include: General skin cancer signs are: Skin Cancer Symptoms Based on Types According to the kind of cells affected, there are many types of skin cancer. Skin cancer is classified into three main types: Each form of skin cancer has its unique set of warning indicators. Symptoms of Basal Cell Carcinoma This type of skin cancer is mainly due to an alteration in the skin, such as a growth or an unhealing wound. Typically, these skin alterations exhibit one of the following skin cancer signs: Basal Cell Carcinoma skin cancer signs include: Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Squamous cell carcinoma typically develops on sun-exposed body parts, including the face, ears, and hands. It can also develop on the genitals, the soles of the feet, or the inside of the mouth. Symptoms may include: Squamous Cell Carcinoma skin cancer signs include: Symptoms of Melanoma Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, in apparently healthy skin, or in a mole that has already existed and turned malignant. Men with melanoma typically develop the disease on their faces or trunks. This form of cancer typically appears on the lower legs in female patients. Melanoma may develop on skin that has not been exposed to the sun in both men and women. Melanoma skin cancer signs include: Less Prevalent Forms of Skin Cancer Symptoms What are the Risk Factors for Skin Cancer? Although anybody can get skin cancer, certain individuals are more prone than others to develop the disease. These include: How is Skin Cancer Treated? The size, kind, depth, and location of the lesions will determine the treatment choices for both skin cancer and actinic keratoses, which are precancerous skin lesions. If the cancer is small and only affects the skin’s surface, sometimes a skin biopsy is sufficient to remove all of the affected tissue. Other commonly employed treatments for skin cancer, either alone or in combination, include: Freezing Cryosurgery, or freezing, is a minimally invasive treatment for certain skin cancers. Liquid nitrogen or another freezing agent is applied directly to the tumour, causing the cancer cells to freeze and die. This method is often used for small basal cell carcinomas and precancerous lesions, but it may require multiple sessions for complete eradication. Excisional Surgery Excisional surgery is a standard treatment option for skin cancer, especially for basal cell and squamous




























