Melanoma comes first when you think of skin cancer. No wonder - melanoma is an insidiously developing neoplasm with the highest malignancy. However, be aware that there are also other malignant skin cancers that you should learn a bit more about. Find out which skin cancers are equally dangerous. What are their symptoms? What is the treatment?
There are manytypes of skin cancer . One of the best known is melanoma. However, there are other types of skin cancer that are just as serious. Skin cancer does not develop overnight. It may be preceded by precancerous changes, which may then develop into melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer over time. The most dangerous skin cancers are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is a malignant neoplasm, the development of which is contributed by, among others:
- chronic exposure to sunlight - long-term exposure to UV radiation leads to the development of actinic keratosis - a precancerous condition predisposing to the appearance of skin cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma. Actinic keratosis is manifested by corneal layering, which are usually yellow-brown in color and appear most often on the forehead, in the temporal area, as well as on the backs of the hands and lower legs,
- chronic mechanical irritation,
- burn scars,
- chronic irritation with chemicals,
- human papillomavirus (HPV) infections - are responsible for the development of squamous cell carcinoma in the genital area,
- ionizing radiation,
- nicotinism.
Squamous cell carcinoma - symptoms
What skin lesions should we look for in relation to squamous cell carcinoma? The symptoms of this cancer can vary depending on the type of cancer.
It is worth mentioning the followingvarieties of squamous cell carcinoma :
- ulcerative variety- manifested by the presence of deep ulcers whose edges are characterized by significant hardness,
- variationpapillary- in this case the skin lesions are oversized, typically located in the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and genitourinary organs,
- keratinizing variety- the lesion is typically a tumor covered with callous epidermis,
- rocking variety- typically in the form of a tumor raised above the skin surface.
Squamous cell carcinoma is often located on the border of the skin and mucous membranes (e.g. in the lips, around the eye sockets, nose and genitals) and where precancerous conditions are present - i.e. actinic keratosis described above.
Squamous cell carcinoma - diagnosis and treatment
In order to make a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, it is not enough to diagnose the corresponding skin lesions. To confirm the diagnosis, a histopathological examination of a section of the lesion is necessary (i.e. microscopic examination of a fragment of a given tissue).
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin may metastasize. Treatment of SCC consists primarily of excising the lesion with an appropriate margin of he althy tissue.
If there are contraindications to surgery, the alternative treatment is primarily radiotherapy, and sometimes also cryotherapy.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
It is the most common skin cancer- it accounts for approximately 80% of all skin cancers. Despite its frequency, it is much less dangerous than the above-described squamous cell carcinoma, because it is characterized by local malignancy and, with few exceptions, does not metastasize.
The risk factorscontributing to the development of this malignant neoplasm include:
- exposure to UV radiation and related precancerous conditions - e.g. actinic keratosis,
- exposure to chemicals,
- some genetic syndromes (e.g. Gorlin-Gotz syndrome, Bazex syndrome, Rombo syndrome),
- status after organ transplant,
- ionizing radiation.
Basal cell carcinoma - symptoms
As with squamous cell carcinoma, the morphology of the skin lesion corresponding to BCC depends on the type of skin cancer.
BCC variants :
- nodular variety- in this most common BCC variety we have a nodule surrounded by a characteristic pearly shaft,
- pigment variety- in this form we are dealing with a highly discolored nodule,
- ulcerative variety-in this case of BCC we observe the presence of a deep ulcer that can reach and damage even muscles and bones,
- scleroderma-like form- porcelain color of the lesion is characteristic and no tendency to decay,
- superficial form- characterized by the presence of flat lesions that are well demarcated from the environment,
- cystic form- typically present as a small, transparent nodule located within the eyelids.
Skin lesions, which are basal cell carcinomas, grow very slowly. They may bleed if they are lightly scratched. The most common location for basal cell carcinoma is the face.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) - diagnosis and treatment
As in the case of squamous cell carcinoma, the diagnosis is based on a histopathological examination. The treatment is also similar - the most common is surgical excision with an appropriate margin of he althy tissue.
If surgery cannot be performed, radiation therapy and sometimes photodynamic therapy are given. It involves the use of a laser and local substances with a light sensitizing effect.
Basal cell carcinoma has a favorable prognosis due to the lack of tendency to metastasis and its slow growth.
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)
Merkel cell carcinoma is a relatively rare skin cancer . Its incidence is estimated at 0.25-0.32 / 100 people per year.
Factors predisposing to the development of this cancerinclude:
- exposure to ultraviolet radiation, including phototherapy,
- immunosuppression (immunodeficiency), AIDS, organ transplant status, chronic lymphocytic leukemia,
- some viral infections.
Merkel cell carcinoma - symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
The primary skin eruption that occurs in Merkel cell carcinoma is a painless tumor that grows rapidly and is usually red or purple in color. Importantly, we rarely see ulcers.
The diagnosis is based on the histopathological examination of a fragment of the lesion. Treatment, as in the case of BCC and SCC, is based primarily on surgical excision.
How to protect yourself against skin cancer?
Every day, it is worth remembering a few rules that significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer. First of all, we should:
Reduce radiation exposuresolar
Solar radiation is a risk factor for each of the skin cancers described in this article, which is why this principle is so important. To reduce exposure to solar radiation:
- use sunscreen products - preferably SPF 50. Importantly, use sunscreen all year round, also on cloudy days,
- avoid sunbathing and using solariums,
- remember to wear sunglasses with a UV filter,
- on summer days avoid prolonged exposure to the sun between 10 am and 3 pm
Regularly check skin changes
If we notice a suspicious lesion on the skin, e.g. a new nodular lesion or ulceration, it is worth checking the find with a dermatologist as soon as possible, who, after conducting the examination, will assess whether the lesion is suspicious and whether it requires further diagnosis.
You should be aware that suspicious skin changes are not only pigmented moles and associated melanoma. It is also worth remembering about other cancers, especially basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
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