What Is It?

Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the cells that cover or line an organ. Skin cancer is the most common cancer. People of all ages can get skin cancer but it is rare in children. Symptoms and treatment depend on the type of cancer it is.

What Are The Types Of Skin Cancer?

There are two main types of skin cancer:

• Cancer in moles (malignant melanoma).
• The non-melanoma group (basal cell - and squamous cell carcinoma).

Basal cell carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the basal cell layer of the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). It is 6-8 times more common than malignant melanoma. It is often located in the face and on the neck. Basal cell carcinoma is not one of the most dangerous cancers but it must still be treated to avoid it spreading.

Squamous cell carcinoma begins in a different layer of the epidermis. It is not as common as basal cell carcinoma and is typically found in places which have been exposed to sunlight like face or the neck.

Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma is not among the most dangerous cancers but it can become dangerous if it is not treated in time.

What Causes Basal Cell- And Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Sunlight is a contributing factor in 90 per cent of the cases. The disease itself is usually triggered by damage to the skin caused by sun rays.

People who are exposed to large quantities of sun radiation can develop skin cancer as early as age 20 or 30 but most patients are older.

What Are The Symptoms Of Non-Melanoma Cancer?

Basal cell carcinoma: The first warning signs may be small lumps, scar-like changes, or eczema-like changes on the skin. The first sign can also be a small sore with raised borders. It is a slow-growing cancer and it never spreads to other parts of the body.

Squamous cell carcinoma: The first sign can be a patch of scaly eczema. Later, a sore which can turn into a nodule, may appear. Squamous cell carcinoma grows faster than basal cell carcinoma especially when located near orifices - the eyes, ears, mouth, anal orifice or the vagina. It may spread via the lymphatic path but that is rare.

What Are The Warning Signs?

Sores that will not heal, or grow bigger, or turn into tumors. Sores or tumors in or around the body openings should be watched carefully as these can behave aggressively.

What Can Be Done At Home?

Avoid excessive exposure to the sun, especially the midday sun (from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Move into the shade and have a "siesta" instead Clothing and sun hats can protect the skin from the sun's harmful rays. It is especially important to protect the skin between 11. a.m. - 2 p.m Children should be protected from getting sunburned until age 16. Although the sunburn clears up nicely, the skin may have suffered damage which will become apparent later in life. Sunburns increase the risk of developing skin cancer! Be aware that sunscreens only protect the skin from getting burned. They do not protect the skin from the rays which can cause skin cancer

How Is It Diagnosed?

The sore or tumor often has certain distinctive features which, in most cases, will enable the doctor to recognize the disease. A biopsy will often be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Future Prospects

Most skin cancers are cured but there are no guaranties that the patients will not develop a new cancer.

How Is Basal Cell Carcinoma Treated?

The tumor is usually removed surgically Another possibility is to expose the tumor to heat and scrape it off, or expose it to radiation

How Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated?

The tumor will often be removed surgically Radiation therapy is sometimes used. A tumor located in or around an orifice may require extensive surgery and the patient may have to be hospitalized for a while.

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