Skin cancer and methods of detection

Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells that generally develops in areas exposed to sunlight.

It can also form in places that are not exposed to the sun.

Freshness Center for Dermatology, Cosmetology and Laser in Hurghada offers the latest methods to detect it and how to treat it under the supervision of specialized dermatologists.

How is skin cancer diagnosed?

The two main categories of skin cancers are defined by the cells they affect and include the following:

• keratinocyte carcinoma

The first category is known as basal and squamous carcinomas, and these are the most common forms.

They often develop in the head and neck.

It becomes life-threatening if left untreated, and it can grow larger and spread to other parts of the body.

• skin cancer (melanoma)

It is the second category of skin cancer, and this type develops in the cells that give the skin its color, and they are known as melanocytes.

Benign melanocyte moles can become cancerous and can be found anywhere on the body.

In men, these moles appear on the chest and back, while in women they appear more on the legs.

Most melanomas can be cured if they are detected and detected early.

You can also read : Acne.

Types of skin cancer

There are two main types (keratinocyte carcinoma and myeloma), yet many other skin disorders are part of cancer.

Not all tumors are cancerous, but they can become cancerous, and these types include:

• Actinic keratosis (solar keratosis)

These red or pink patches of skin are not cancerous, but they are a form of cancer, and they can develop into squamous cell carcinoma.

• basal cell carcinoma

It is the most common form of skin cancer, accounting for 90% of all cases.

It appears as slow-growing lumps.

• squamous cell carcinoma

This type of cancer develops in the outer layers of the skin and is usually more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma.

It may appear as red, scaly lesions on the skin.

You can also read : Tine versicolor and its treatment.

Skin cancer symptoms

Not all skin cancers are the same, and they may not cause many symptoms.

 However, unusual changes to the skin can be a warning sign of different types of cancer.

Detecting these changes in the skin may help in obtaining an early diagnosis, and symptoms appear as follows:

• skin lesions

A new mole, unusual growth, bump, ulcer, scaly patch, or dark spot appears on the skin and doesn't go away.

• asymmetry

The two halves of the lesion or cutaneous mole are mismatched or unequal.

• the border

The lesions have jagged and uneven edges.

• the color

Each spot appears in an unusual color such as white, pink, red or black.

• Diameter

The spot is larger than a quarter of an inch, or the size of a pencil eraser.

• Development

You may discover that the mole changes in size, color or shape.

If you have a spot on your skin that you think is skin cancer, learn all the potential warning signs.

And that is through early detection with the best dermatologists at the Freshness Center for Dermatology, Cosmetology and Laser in Hurghada.

Causes of skin cancer

Cancer occurs when mutations develop in the DNA of skin cells, and these mutations cause skin cells to grow uncontrollably.

Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Type 2 can also develop due to long-term exposure to chemicals that cause cancer, or to a virus HPV . human papillomavirus.

Skin cancer detection methods

If you have any unfamiliar growths in the skin, you can refer to the dermatologists at the Freshness Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser in Hurghada.

In order to know the correct diagnosis of your condition, and whether you suffer from skin cancer or not?

This happens with some tests, including the following:

• physical examination

In which the dermatologist begins with a comprehensive examination of the body to look for any skin lumps that may indicate the presence of a cancerous tumor, or a change in the color of the skin.

• lab tests

Tests include a complete blood count (CBC) and urine.

• radiography 

Such as X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, computed tomography.

• biopsy
• endoscopy

skin cancer stages

To determine the stage or severity of cancer, your doctor will consider the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Skin cancers are divided into two groups: non-melanoma and melanoma.melanoma)

The stages of non-melanoma cancer include:

• stage 0

At this point, the abnormal cells have not spread beyond the outer layer of the skin.

• The first stage

In which the cancer may spread to the second layer of skin (the dermis), but it is not more than 2 cm.

• The second phase

The tumor is larger than 2 cm, but has not spread to nearby sites or the lymph nodes.

• third level

Cancer has spread from the primary tumor to nearby tissues and is larger than 3 cm.

• The fourth stage

The cancer has spread beyond the primary tumor site to lymph nodes or tissue, and is also larger than 3 cm.

The stages of skin cancer (melanoma) include:

• stage 0 

The cancer has not penetrated the layers of the skin.

• The first stage

The cancer may have spread to the second layer of the skin, but it is still small.

• The second phase

It has not spread beyond the tumor site, but is larger and thicker and may have other signs or symptoms, including crusting or bleeding.

• third level

And where the tumor spreads to tissues and lymph nodes.

• The fourth stage

This stage is the most advanced and indicates the cancer has spread to other tissues or organs in the body.

 treatment

The recommended treatment plan depends on many factors such as the size, location, and type of cancer, as well as its stage.

The treatment by dermatologists at the Freshness Center for Dermatology, Aesthetics and Laser in Hurghada, after examination and examination of the patient, includes the following:

• Cryotherapy, in which the tumor is frozen using liquid nitrogen and then the tissue is destroyed as it thaws.

• Excision of the tumor and part of the healthy skin surrounding it.

• Electrodesiccation, in which a long, spoon-shaped blade is used to scrape cancer cells, then burned with an electric needle.

• Chemotherapy. Medicines are taken orally or injected with a needle to kill cancer cells.

• Photodynamic therapy, using laser light.

• Radiation, by applying high energy to the tumor site.

• Biological and immunological therapy to stimulate the immune system.

Methods of prevention

To reduce the risk of infection, avoid exposing your skin to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet rays for long periods of time.

You should also check your skin regularly for changes that may appear on you.

Finally, he told the dermatologist at Nadhara Skin, Cosmetic and Laser Center in Hurghada, as early detection contributes to the speedy detection and treatment of the disease.