Skin Cancer: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Skin cancer is one type of cancer that suffered by many people. Skin cancer is caused by skin cells that grow abnormally and uncontrollably that can spread to other parts of the body and can damage surrounding tissue. There are 3 types of skin cancer:

1. Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is one of the most common skin cancer and suffered by many people. This type of skin cancer is not spread to other parts of the body, but cancer cells can multiply and cause damage to surrounding skin tissue. Some factors that can cause this type of skin cancer are:

• Bright skin
• Frequent exposure to sunlight
• a weakened immune system
• Burns
• X-Ray

Signs and Symptoms
Normally, the body part that is often attacked by this type of skin cancer (Basal Cell Carcinoma) is the face, neck and scalp. Signs and symptoms that can be recognized is a lump on the skin that has a bright color. These bumps have a reddish color and has a rising edge and slightly blackish color. Other sign and symptoms is abnormalities in the scar tissue and wounds that do not heal.

Diagnosis
The method that can be used to diagnose this type of skin cancer is by clinical examination and histopathology. This method is done by taking samples of the skin which is considered as the cancerous tissue (biopsy).

Treatment
Treatment of this type of skin cancer is by surgical removal of skin tissue that was attacked by cancer. Another treatment method that can be done is by radiation, cryosurgery, Electrosurgery, Photodinamic Therapy, Laser beams and chemotherapy.

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Another type of skin cancer is Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Usually, this type of skin cancers suffered by men, especially the elderly. Causes of Squamous Cell Carcinoma is epidermal keratinocyte cell malignancy. This type of skin cancer can spread to other parts of the body and usually suffered by people who live in the tropics.

Just as with Basal Cell Carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma is caused by several factors, such as the frequency of excessive sun exposure, the virus, the body's immune system is weak, chemicals and abnormalities in scar tissue. Signs and symptoms of this type of skin cancer is a lump and wounds that do not heal. Diagnosis and treatment of patients with this type of skin cancer are not much different with basal cell carcinoma.

3. Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is one of the most dangerous skin cancer. This type of skin cancer can develop through a mole that arise in the human body. Cancer cells grow from the melanocytes (skin cells that function to produce melanin pigment).

Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of this type of skin cancer are:

• Forms, moles have an irregular shape (asymmetric) and uneven edges mole.
• Size, the size of moles continue to grow, even larger than 6 mm.
• Color, the color of moles turn into brownish or reddish.
• Itching, usually, moles will feel itchy or even painful.

Diagnosis
Similar to Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma, diagnosis of this type of skin cancer (malignant melanoma) can be done by biopsy.

Treatment
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. This type of skin cancer can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph glands. The method of treatment can be performed in patients with this type of skin cancer is by surgical removal of cancerous tissue. If cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, it must be performed further surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. If the cancer cells spread to the lymph glands, the lymph glands should be removed.







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