Skin Cancer

Cancers arising from skin tissues. There is more than one type.

Cancers originating from melanocyte-simile cells that give the skin its color are called malignant melanoma.

Cancers arising from basal cells are basal cell carcinomas. Cancers arising from squamous cells in the outer layer of the skin are squamous cell carcinomas. There are also skin cancers originating from neuroendocrine cells that respond to stimuli from the nervous system by producing hormones. Skin cancers occur in older age, in areas exposed to sunlight, or in people with weakened immune systems.

Since melanoma has been examined under a separate title, basal and squamous cell (squamous) cancers will be mentioned here.

Risk Factor

• be fair skinned
• Exposure to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet radiation (solarium)
• Advanced age and male gender
• Occupational long-term exposure to certain chemicals, such as coal tar and arsenic
• have received radiotherapy
• history of skin cancer
• Prolonged inflammatory conditions and damage to the skin
• Cigarette

Those who take medication or PUVA (ultraviolet radiation therapy) for psoriasis have a higher risk of squamous cell skin cancer and other skin cancers.

In a rare skin disease called xeroderma pigmentosum, the repair capacity of damage due to sunlight is reduced. Skin cancers can be seen in these individuals even in childhood.

Diagnosis

The most common symptoms of skin cancers are:

• Inflamed lesions that do not heal
• Seen on the skin;
• Small, raised, smooth, shiny lesions
• Small, raised, red or brown-red colored lesions
• Flat, hard, red or brown and crusty lesions
• Crusty, hemorrhagic lesions
• Scar-like and permanent lesions

Diagnosis

Examination and diagnosis methods used in the diagnosis of non-melanoma cancers are as follows.

Examination: Changes in color, shape and structure of the skin, swelling and spots on the skin are carefully examined by the doctor.

Biopsy: A piece of abnormal growth seen on the skin is taken, and the presence of cancer cells in this piece is examined under a microscope by the pathologist. After the diagnosis of skin cancer, some tests may be used to determine whether the disease has spread to other regions. In squamous cell cancers, lymph node biopsy can be performed to detect the spread of lymph nodes.

Treatment

The treatment of each patient differs, and multiple factors such as the location of the disease, the stage of the disease, the age of the patient and other health problems are effective in the treatment decision. These treatments, which require a multidisciplinary study; It includes different options such as surgery, regional treatments, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted treatments.