Skin Cancer

There are many types of skin cancers, but the ones most commonly seen are the following:

- Basal cell skin cancers (most common)

- Squamous cell skin cancer

- Melanomas (least common but most deadly)
Many skin cancers are known to be induced by UV light. This is the most important reason that we recommend sun protection.
Some skin cancers arise in areas not seen by light!

Melanoma

Melanoma can be deadly.
Melanoma is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body if it is not caught early.
Fortunately, there are now newer treatments for melanoma which have finally shown some hope!
Melanomas tend to be very dark in color, black, grey or blue, but they can actually be skin colored, red, pink, even have yellow tones, etc.
Pay close attention for changing moles or new spots that bleed easily or won’t heal.
Risk factors for melanoma include family history, intense sun burns, multiple moles and many others.
If you have a mole that is changing, see a health care provider!
Look for dark or easily bleeding spots under the nails! Remember to check your feet and hands!
Remember the ABCDE’s of melanoma
Asymmetry (does one side look like the other?)
Border (is it irregular?)
Color (is it multicolored?)
Diameter (how big is it? Bigger than a pencil eraser, show it to a doctor)
Evolution (did your mole always look one way, and then change?)

Basal cell skin cancers

Fortunately, most of the time these skin cancers do not metastasize or spread to other parts of the body.
They will continue to grow if they are left untreated.
Sometimes when growing they cause skin breakdown called “ulcers”.
When they start, they leave some signs. Look for the following:
A spot that looks like a pimple that won’t go away
A bright pink dry scaly patch that sometimes bleeds
Bleeding with baths or face washing
Basal cell skin cancers are often treated by surgical destruction or excision, sometimes with stitches, and if they are thin, sometimes with a cream.
There are some families who will develop hundreds of these skin cancers in their lifetime.

Squamous cell skin cancer

Unfortunately, this type of skin cancer can metastasize or spread to other areas of the body where they can be deadly.
High risk sites include the lip and the ear, among others.
Some people are at higher risk for these skin cancers including the following:
People with organ transplants on immune suppressive medications
Certain medications like voriconazole (an antifungal medication)
Squamous cell skin cancers often look like a small marble on the skin with a central crater or dry scaly patches that bleed.
They often show up on the lower legs in women.