Renascance Dermatology — Articles

Thank goodness the sun is back! Now that it looks and feels like spring, more time can be spent outside. While this lifts our spirits, one cannot forget to protect your skin. Skin cancer is being detected more due to increased awareness. Skin cancer can develop from short and long term sun exposure. It can occur quickly or it may manifest many years later. Thus, screening for skin cancer should be lifelong. There are several types of skin cancers, but the three most common are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

May is Melanoma Awareness Month. Melanoma is probably the most familiar type of skin cancer. It is most common in fairer-skinned individuals, but it can occur in skin of color as well. Increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the primary reason for developing melanoma, but heredity plays a role as well. It is the skin cancer that can spread rapidly and is associated with many fatalities. However, if it is detected early, the cure rate is very high. The common detection tool for melanoma is the ABCDEs of melanoma:

Asymmetry
Border Irregularity
Color Irregularity
Diameter- mole > 6 mm
Evolving mole

Basal Cell Carcinoma Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer. Although it is slow-growing and rarely spreads throughout the body, BCC can spread locally and deep, thus destroying adjacent skin tissue and even bone. Unlike the asymmetric, irregularly shaped and colored moles of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma can:

Bleed easily
Will not heal
Ooze or develop a slight crust
Look like a crater
Have prominent blood vessels within or around it

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer. Ultraviolet rays is the most common culprit. However, there are other causes to consider for SCC as well. While some of these characteristics can play a role in the development of the other skin cancers, they tend to be more associated with SCC:

Some forms of human papilloma virus (HPV)
Long term exposure to cancer causing chemicals (tobacco, arsenic, insecticides, etc.)
Long standing ulcers/sores

Because of these exposures, SCC can occur on other parts of the body such as the inside of the mouth and genitals. SCC can occur as:

A rough bump
A dome-shaped or crusty growth
A non-healing sore
A flat scaly patch

In an effort to prevent or detect skin cancer early, one should

Get an annual skin exam with your dermatologist
Check your skin monthly for changing moles or growths
Wear UV protectant sunglasses/clothing
Wear sunscreen regularly
Avoid direct sun exposure when sun is most intense (10 am- 2 pm)
Stop (or do not even begin) tanning

Summary Many of the characteristics of the various skin cancers described can look like other benign lesions. If one is uncertain, the rule of thumb is to always get the growth in question evaluated by a physician. Even if the growth is a skin cancer, early detection may prevent long term complications.