Skin Cancer
Skin cancer happens when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world. Approximately one in five people will develop cancer. When detected early, this disease has a 98% cure rate. Removing the cancerous tissue usually cures skin cancer.
Knowing how to protect yourself from skin cancer is important. You can trust the dermatologists at North Kansas City Hospital to help you learn how to prevent skin cancer and perform accurate and thorough skin cancer screenings.
Types of Skin Cancer
There are many different types of skin cancer, some much more common than others. Our expert dermatologists can help identify different types of skin cancer.
The three most common types of skin cancer include:
- Basal cell carcinoma: This skin cancer develops in the lower part of the epidermis (the top layer of skin). According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), it is the most common type of skin cancer — eight out of 10 skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma.
- Melanoma skin cancer: This skin cancer develops when melanocytes (a type of cell) begin growing uncontrollably. According to the ACS, melanoma isn’t nearly as common as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but it can be more dangerous if not treated early.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This skin cancer develops in the upper part of the epidermis. According to ACS, two of 10 skin cancers are squamous cell carcinoma.
Less common skin cancers include:
- Kaposi sarcoma: Common in people with a weakened immune system, these cancers develop in your skin’s blood vessels.
- Merkel cell carcinoma: This rare type of cancer begins when Merkel cells grow uncontrollably.
- Sebaceous gland carcinoma: This type of cancer develops in the skin’s oil glands. It often can be found on the eyelid.
Skin Cancer Risk Factors
Skin cancer risk factors are things that raise your risk of developing skin cancer. Having a skin cancer risk doesn’t mean you will get skin cancer. Instead, it means your risk will be increased. Through research, experts have found several things that can increase skin cancer risk. For example, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive diagnosis increases the risk for Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Additional skin cancer risk factors include:
- Being over the age of 40
- Fair skin
- Family history of skin cancer
- Frequent sun exposure
- History of sunburn and skin cancer
- Large dark-colored birthmark
- Many moles
- Pre-cancerous skin lesions
- Radiation therapy
Screening for Skin Cancer
It’s important to examine your skin regularly. Get to know your moles and birthmarks, looking for any abnormal skin growth or change.
One of the best ways to screen for skin cancer is to know the ABCDEs of melanoma. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), you should talk to your doctor or schedule an appointment with a dermatologist if you notice moles that:
A: Are asymmetrical
B: Have an irregular border
C: Have color that varies
D: Have a diameter equal to or bigger than a pencil eraser
E: Are evolving
Be mindful of skin that doesn’t heal after an injury. Ask your doctor to check your skin during regular health exams and tell your doctor about any suspicious skin growths or changes.
Skin Cancer Prevention
One of the best ways to prevent skin cancer is regular screening, both on your own and by a professional. Additionally, there are several things you should do daily.
You can help prevent skin cancer by:
Use a sunscreen that’s at least sun protection factor (SPF) 30 and blocks UVA and UVB radiation. You can find this information on the sunscreen’s label. Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including your lips, ears, back of the hands and neck. Be sure to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside (even on cloudy days) and reapply it every two hours or after swimming, exercising or sweating.
Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Also, avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are the strongest.
For easy sun protection, your clothing should be:
- Dark with special added dyes that help absorb UV radiation
- Loose-fitting and long-sleeved (covering as much of the skin as possible)
- Made with SPF in the fabric that doesn’t wash out
- Made with unbleached cotton, polyester, wool or silk
It’s also helpful to wear sunglasses that wrap around and block at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB radiation and a wide-brimmed hat.
Symptoms of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer can appear in many different shapes, colors and sizes. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns or notice any changes.
The most common types of skin cancer symptoms include:
- Basal cell carcinoma: This type of cancer may appear as a shiny, pearl-like bump that is pink, translucent or red. It also may be pink with a lower middle. It may remind you of a scar. It may be raised, red and itchy. Be mindful of a sore that bleeds and scabs, doesn’t heal, or heals but then returns.
- Melanoma skin cancer: This type of skin cancer is a spot that looks different from all your other spots, and is new or changing in color, shape or size. Use the ABCDE rule as a guide.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This type of skin cancer may be flat, scaly and crusted in nature, or appear as a firm, red bump. It, too, may be a sore that doesn’t heal or heals but then returns. It also may look like a wart.
Diagnostic Tests for Skin Cancer
Your doctor may refer you to one of our dermatologists if there is a suspicion of skin cancer.
Common skin cancer diagnostic tests may include:
- Skin biopsy: If a dermatologist suspects something, they will remove some of the skin and send it out for testing. How the skin is removed depends on factors such as where it is on the body and its size. Skin biopsies often only require numbing medicine, which is injected with a small needle.
- Skin examination: The first step in diagnosis skin cancer is to have a dermatologist examine the skin. A dermatologist may use special tools, such as a dermatoscope, to examine the skin more closely.
Skin Cancer Treatment Options
Sometimes, the skin biopsy used to diagnose skin cancer removes the entire growth, and nothing more is needed. However, depending on the type of cancer or pre-cancer and its size and location, additional treatments may be required.
Treatments for skin cancer include:
- Curettage and electrodesiccation, which uses an electric needle to destroy any cancer cells that remain after the removal of a growth.
- Excisional biopsy or shave biopsy, which removes cancerous tissue and, sometimes, surrounding normal skin
- Freezing, which uses liquid nitrogen (called cryosurgery) to destroy pre-cancer lesions or early skin cancer.
- Immunotherapy, which stimulates an immune response to help fight disease
- Mohs surgery, which removes skin layer by layer, with an examination of each layer under a microscope until no cancer remains.
- Photodynamic therapy, which destroys cancer cells with a combination of drugs and a laser light
- Radiation therapy, which uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors
- Systemic chemotherapy, which helps kill cancerous cells with chemical substances that are taken by the mouth or given through an IV
- Topical chemotherapy, which helps kill cancerous cells with chemical substances that are applied to the skin