Skin cancer is a form of abnormal skin growth. Some skin cancers can grow out of control and spread to other tissues and to other organs. Not all abnormal skin growths are cancerous. Some non-cancerous skin growths include birthmarks, warts, benign skin tags and benign moles.
Normal moles are brown spots on the skin that can be flat or can be elevated. They are generally round and have a regular shape. Abnormal moles or atypical moles are called dysplastic nevi. They are usually benign but must be watched closely for changes. These abnormal moles are at a higher risk of becoming cancerous or melanomas. The higher number of dysplastic nevi that a person has, the higher their risk of developing skin cancer in the form of melanomas. Skincancer.org, “Moles and Melanomas” (accessed March 12, 2010).
Abnormal skin growths are categorized as pre-cancerous because over time, they can develop into cancer. Two types of pre-cancerous skin growths are actinic keratosis and actinic cheilitis. The word actinic indicates that ultraviolet rays have produced chemical changes. The word keratosis means skin and the word cheilitis means inflammation of the lips. Skincarephysicians.com, “What Are Actinickeratoses” (accessed March 12, 2010).
Pre-cancerous Skin Growths
Actinic keratosis is a rough, dry skin lesion or patch of growth on the skin that is limited to one area only. It can be located on the scalp, face, back of hands, chest or any where that is exposed to sun rays. They can be the same color of the skin or they can be pink, red or grayish. Actinic keratosis begins as a flat, scaly area that later develops into a hard or rough surface and can have a horn-like texture. Actinic cheilitis is characterized by scaling on the lips that cracks and is very dry.
These pre-cancerous skin growths are caused by exposure to sunlight over long periods of time. If caught early, these skin lesions can be treated or removed before they become cancerous. Learning and practicing prevention measures is the first line of skin protection. Skincarephysicians.com, “What Are Actinickeratoses” (accessed March 12, 2010).
Types of Skin Cancers
There are different types of skin cancers depending on the skin cells for which they grow. Certain types also tend to develop in specific areas of the body. Each type of skin cancer has different characteristics, different patterns of growth and different levels of severity. All are treated differently.
The most common type of skin cancer is called basal cell carcinoma. It is the least serious kind of skin cancer because it grows slowly and rarely spreads. A basal cell carcinoma appears as a pearl-like gray, tiny nodule on sun exposed areas of the scalp, upper back, face, lips, neck, chest or upper arms. It may become a sore, become crusty or drain fluid.
A second kind of skin cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma. This type is more serious because it can spread to other tissues and to vital organs. This cancer appears as a small, scaly, reddish, dome-shaped, fleshy nodule on any part of the skin that is exposed to the sun. Because the spread of this cancer is slow, if caught early or if the cancer is contained in lymph nodes, it is possible to stop the cancer’s growth by removing the involved lymph nodes before the cancer spreads further. Other nonmelanoma skin cancers include Kposi's sarcoma, merkel cell carcinoma and cutaneous lymphoma. Health.nytimes.com "Skin Cancer" (accessed March 12, 2010).
The most serious type of skin cancer is called malignant melanoma. It spreads quickly from the skin through the lymph nodes and blood to internal organs. It may arise from a mole or from intact skin. It appears as a flat or raised growth of brownish black color that may be mixed with blue, red or white parts. Malignant melanomas can develop anywhere on the skin but, in men, they are more commonly found on the back. In women, they may develop on the back and legs. These growths are asymmetrical, have irregular borders, and grow larger and change color over time. Cancer.gov, “Skin Cancer Types” (accessed March 12, 2010).
Other nonmelanoma skin cancers are Kposi's sarcoma, merkel cell carcinoma and cutaneous lymphoma.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “Skin Cancer Facts,” one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime and about 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by exposure to radiation from the sun. It is important to regularly perform self-skin-exams and report any suspicious skin problems to a medical professional. Early detection and early treatment are critical to the prognosis of all types of skin cancer.
Mary Ann George - I am a registered nurse currently working as a case manager in the home health industry. My credentials include a BS degree in education, ...
