{"id":49486,"date":"2024-01-19T12:19:18","date_gmt":"2024-01-19T06:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wockhardthospitals.com\/?p=49486"},"modified":"2024-01-19T12:19:18","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T06:49:18","slug":"skin-cancer-signs-symptoms-causes-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wockhardthospitals.com\/international-patients\/cancer-care\/skin-cancer-signs-symptoms-causes-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Skin Cancer Signs, Symptoms & Causes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Skin Cancer<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Skin Cancer<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Basal Cell Carcinoma:<\/b> This usually occurs in the areas exposed to the sun, such as the face and the neck. The basal cells in the lower part of the epidermis, that is, the outer layer of the skin, are affected, leading to bumps, scar-like lesions, and bleeding sores that don’t heal.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma:<\/b> This type of cancer occurs in the squamous layer of the skin on the face, ears, and neck. There can be a form, red nodule, or scaly lesions on the skin.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Melanoma: <\/b>Melanoma occurs in the melanocytes, which are the melanin-producing cells of the skin and give the brown pigmentation of the skin. It can develop anywhere in the body and even in pre-existing moles in the body. Melanoma can occur on skin, which is not exposed to the sun. Melanoma can appear as dark lesions in the affected area, or in a mole that changes in shape and colour, and even cause lesions that itch and burn.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Causes of Skin Cancer <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    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 s<\/span>kin cancer causes are unidentified. Risk factors, however, may increase a person’s likelihood of getting skin cancers like Melanoma.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Exposure to UV light – <\/b>Multiple types of skin cancer are significantly increased by UV radiation exposure. Among the sources of UV light exposure are:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n