Three Different Types Of Skin Cancer

     There are three main types of skin cancer. These are malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. While melanoma is the most life-threatening of the three, it is also the most

Although there are several types of skin cancer, the most aggressive form is melanoma. This cancer of the skin involves mass replication of the pigment producing melanocyte cells, which are located in the epidermis, below the basal layer. There are several factors involved with the onset of melanoma including, exposure to ultraviolet rays, genetic predisposition, numerous nevi (moles), immunosuppression, and environmental exposure to carcinogens.

It is usually caused by intense exposure from ultraviolet radiation such as sun or tanning beds. Melanoma is when damaged DNA from this high exposure triggers mutations in the body that leads to the intense multiplication of cancerous cells. Melanoma cancer can look almost like a mole and can range from skin colored to black or brown in color. If caught and treated early it is curable, however if not caught early it can spread into the body and cause other cancerous cells or death. There are four types of melanoma skin cancers: superficial spreading melanoma, lentigo maligna, acral lentiginous melanoma and nodular melanoma. Superficial spreading melanoma is the most common and is usually seen in young people, but in all ages as well. It is known for growing along the epidermis for a long period of time before penetrating into the skin. This can also be found almost anywhere on the body but usually for men on their upper bodies and for females on their legs but also upper bodies. Lentigo maligna is known for its appearance for can look similar to a tan or dark discoloration. It is usually found in the elderly population and is the most common in areas of Hawaii. It is found on the upper body, arms, facial area and ears. Acral lentiginous melanoma is known for its appearance under the nails, palms of the hands or feet as a dark discoloration. It is mostly common in Asian and African-American cultures and can

Then you have the Basal Cell Carcinoma This is the most common but least dangerous form of skin cancer. It grows slowly, usually on the head, neck and upper torso. It may appear as a lump or dry, scaly area. It maybe red, pale or pearly in colour. As it grows, it may ulcerate or appear like a sore that fails to completely heal or one that does heal but then breaks down again.

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. You can get melanoma from the sun, it can be genetic or from tanning beds. Melanoma is mostly on skin, but also found in eyes, under nails, and sometimes found in organs. It’s increasing to a lot of people under the age of 40, especially women. Melanoma can be in many places. Next, the sun and tanning bed increase your chances

Skin Cancer is the abnormal division of skin cells which cause tumors in the body. There are 3 types of Skin Cancer: Melanoma, Basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma (Web Md, year). Skin cancer is caused by the exposure of ultraviolet radiation and UV-like factors (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2015). This paper focuses on a specific type of skin cancer called Melanoma.

Skin cancer can develop from sun-exposed skin, scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and legs. Virtually anywhere there is skin on your body. It can even form under your fingernails and toenails. Skin cancer affects people with all skin tones. Some of symptoms of skin cancer are a sore that does not heal, large brownish spot with dark speckles. Dark moles that change color, size, feel or that bleed. Dark lesions on your palms, soles or a mucous membrane lining your nose, mouth or anus. A Dermatologist will examine growths, moles and dry patches on your skin to begin the diagnosis. Many Dermatologist use a dermascope to magnify the skin. If they find something they will remove part of it or all of it to do further testing. The doctor or dermatologist will chose one of the many different types of treatment depending on how bad the case may be.

In the medical world, there are two types of skin cancer- melanoma and nonmelanoma (“Skin Cancer Treatments” 2016). Things that can increase the chance of having skin cancer are known as “risk factors” (“Skin Cancer Treatments” 2016). They can be different for the 2 types of skin cancer. Nonmelanoma skin cancer risk factors can include “fair skin that freckles and burns easily, does not tan, or tans poorly, blue or green or other light-colored eyes, or red or blond hair” (“Skin Cancer Treatments” 2016). Also, risk factors can include “past treatments with radiation, a weakened immune system, and certain changes in genes” (“Skin Cancer Treatments” 2016). Melanoma tends to be “ more aggressive than most other types of skin cancer” (“Skin Cancer” n.d.). To decrease the risk of skin cancer, we can stay in the shade and wear longer clothing that will fully protect our body. Also, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, we can decrease the risk by putting on sunscreen, which will protect our skin from harmful UV rays. Skin cancer is a problem, but with the right tools and safety precautions, we can protect our skin from UVA and UVB rays that are emitted daily by the

Melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, but it is as serious as most common skin cancer. Melanoma has many risk factors, including one of the most common one that should be avoided and that is the overexposure to the sun. Melanoma is caused by the pigment cells that eventually form into cancerous cells. Melanoma cancer is known to be dangerous because it spreads into the person’s body. Melanoma does not discriminate against skin types so anyone is prone to this particular cancer. Individuals who are at a higher risk are people who spends more time in the sun than they should.

Both basal and squamous cell cancers are found mainly on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun- the head, neck hands and arms. However skin cancer can occur anywhere.

So, the fact that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer is not shocking. There are two main categories of skin cancer: non-melanomas (also referred to as keratinocyte cancers), which include basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, and melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common, but melanoma is the most dangerous form. In 2006, a NMSC study showed over 3.5 million diagnosed cases in about 2.2 million people. Over 73,000 cases of melanoma are predicted for the current year of 2015.1

CAUSE: Melanoma is caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and external factors such as ultraviolet exposure. Heavy exposure to the sun is the most important factor in development of the disease. UV radiation causes damage to the DNA of cells, typically thymine dimerization, which when unrepaired can create mutations in the cell 's genes. Genetic analysis has shown that 92% of all melanoma are caused by this indirect DNA damage. This however does NOT mean that sunburn is the cause of this cancer. It is one of the rarer types of skin cancer but causes the majority of skin cancer related deaths especially if it is found late. At this time, the causes are not fully understood.

Melanoma occurs when cells develop abnormally on the skin and produce abnormal moles. Some of the symptoms of melanoma include these moles getting bigger, changing shape, particularly getting an irregular edge, changing colour – getting darker, becoming patchy or multi shaded, Itching or

Squamous cell carcinoma is second most common type of skin cancer, after basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell cancer spreads faster than basal cell cancer, but still is usually relatively slow-growing. It can spread (metastasize) to other locations, including internal organs.

Cancer is a disease that can change the life of a person no matter their age or nationality. Cancer can range from being life threatening to a low risk of death. Cancer cells are cells that do not follow the regular cell growth and division pattern. They go through cell division and produce rapidly. Cancer cells differ from regulating cells in the body because normal cells eventually die. Cancer cells, on the other hand, do not die when they should causing it to be very hard to cure cancer in your body.