Understanding Skin Cancer Symptoms Causes Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Skin cancer is a fatal disease caused by the uncontrolled growth of skin cells. Each Skin Cancer Symptoms are diagnosed on the basis of skin cell type. This cancer can occur in any area of ​​the skin, but most skin cancers develop in areas of the body exposed to the sun. If it is discussed whether skin cancer is fatal, then this cancer can be fatal if it is not treated on time. Like other cancers, successful treatment of skin cancer also depends on its stage and type. Non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are generally treatable and successful if detected early. Talking about melanoma skin cancer, it can take a more dangerous form if its treatment is not started on time or when it spreads to other parts of the body.

skin cancer symptoms

Due to different types of skin cancer, skin cancer symptoms may vary. Some common skin cancer symptoms or signs of skin cancer are as follows:

 New skin growths or moles: Sudden appearance of spots, bumps or moles on the skin is a sign or symptom of skin cancer.

 Changes in the skin: Increase in the size of moles on the skin or increase in the number of moles are skin cancer symptoms or signs of skin cancer.

Persistent lesions: Repeated lesions or lesions on the skin that do not heal are signs or symptoms of skin cancer.

Dark patches or marks: Red or black patches on the skin are signs or symptoms of skin cancer.

Skin Cancer Causes and Risk Factors

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of skin cancer, which can arise from the sun or artificial sources such as tanning beds. Ultraviolet radiation can cause DNA damage in skin cells and cause mutations, which causes cells to develop abnormally.

Several risk factors can contribute to developing skin cancer, such as fair complexion, history of sunburn, family history of skin cancer, too much sun exposure, living at high altitude or in a sunny climate, exposure to too much sunlight, these include having moles, a weak immune system, exposure to radiation, and past use of tanning beds.

Stages of skin cancer and its progression

Skin cancer is classified into the following stages. Depending on how skin cancer develops, its stages are determined:

Stage–0: Skin Cancer is limited to the topmost layer of the skin and has not spread anywhere else.

Stage I-II: Skin Cancer has spread deeper into the skin layers, but has not spread to distant organs.

Skin Canser Stage III: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but has not spread to other areas.

Diagnosis of skin cancer and prevention

It is possible to prevent the development of skin cancer to a great extent by adopting sun-safe habits, including:

Frequent use of sunscreen: Regularly using a spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher can help prevent skin cancer.

Avoid strong sunlight: Avoid exposure to the sun from 10 am to 4 pm when it is sunny outside.

Wear full body clothing: Wearing full body clothing can prevent exposure to the sun.

Avoiding UV radiation from tanning beds: Tanning beds emit harmful UV radiation, which can increase the risk of skin cancer.

Spend more time in the shade: When going out, try to avoid sun exposure and spend more time in the shade.

Regular self-examination: By doing skin self-examination regularly, changes in the skin can be easily noticed.

Periodic contact with a skin expert: Consult a skin expert every year for a skin test, and especially if someone in your family has had this disease in the past.

Treatment Options for Skin Cancer

Treatment or cure for skin cancer depends on the type, stage, location and overall health of the patient. The primary goal of treatment is to remove cancer cells without affecting the functioning of the skin. Skin cancer can be treated by the following treatment options:

Surgery: Currently, for the treatment of cancer, surgical procedures range from simple to complex. It is commonly used to remove thin layers of cancer tissue without damaging healthy skin.

Radiation therapy: To treat or cure skin cancer, in this treatment, high energy radiation is used to target cancer cells and destroy them. It is used as a primary treatment or along with surgery to completely remove cancer cells.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy medicines are used to treat advanced or metastatic skin cancer. These medicines travel through the bloodstream, throughout the body, to target cancer cells.

 Immunotherapy: This treatment method uses the body’s immune system to destroy cancer cells. This involves using immune checkpoint inhibitors, which give the immune system the ability to fight cancer.

Targeted therapy: In this, genetic mutations or proteins in cancer cells are targeted. These medicines interfere with the functioning of some specific molecules, which are responsible for the growth of cancer cells.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT): In PDT, a drug and a type of light are used to kill cancer cells. It is often used for surface skin cancers.