Skin Cancer -- May 17, 2010 -- - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

Skin Cancer -- May 17, 2010 -- Dr. Christopher Robb and Dr. Benjamin Hayes

Skin Cancer
May 17, 2010
Christopher Robb, M.D.
Spring Hill Dermatology
Benjamin Hayes, M.D.

Understanding Skin Cancer

Skin cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up the skin. Normally, skin cells grow and divide to form new cells. Every day skin cells grow old and die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the skin does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a growth or tumor.

Growths or tumors can be benign or malignant:

Benign growths are not cancer:

• Benign growths are rarely life-threatening.
• Generally, benign growths can be removed. They usually do not grow back.
• Cells from benign growths do not invade the tissues around them.
• Cells from benign growths do not spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant growths are cancer:

• Malignant growths are generally more serious than benign growths. They may be life-threatening. However, the two most common types of skin cancer cause only about one out of every thousand deaths from cancer.
• Malignant growths often can be removed, but sometimes they grow back.
• Cells from malignant growths can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.
• Cells from some malignant growths can spread to other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

Types of Skin Cancer

Skin cancers are named for the type of cells that become cancerous. The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. These cancers usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. These areas are exposed to the sun. But skin cancer can occur anywhere.

Basal cell skin cancer grows slowly. It usually occurs on areas of the skin that have been in the sun. It is most common on the face. Basal cell cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body.

Squamous cell skin cancer also occurs on parts of the skin that have been in the sun. But it also may be in places that are not in the sun. Squamous cell cancer sometimes spreads to lymph nodes and organs inside the body. If skin cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the new growth has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary growth.

Risk Factors

Doctors cannot explain why one person develops skin cancer and another does not. However, we do know that skin cancer is not contagious. You cannot "catch" it from another person. Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop skin cancer.

Studies have found the following risk factors for skin cancer:

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation: UV radiation comes from the sun, sunlamps and tanning beds. A person's risk of skin cancer is related to lifetime exposure to UV radiation. Most skin cancer appears after age 50, but the sun damages the skin from an early age. UV radiation affects everyone, but people who have fair skin that freckles or burns easily are at greater risk. These people often also have red or blond hair and light-colored eyes. But even people who tan can get skin cancer. People who live in areas that get high levels of UV radiation (such as Florida) have a higher risk of skin cancer. Also, people who live in the mountains get high levels of UV radiation. UV radiation is present even in cold weather or on a cloudy day.
• Scars or burns on the skin
• Exposure to arsenic at work
• Chronic skin inflammation or skin ulcers
• Diseases that make the skin sensitive to the sun, such as xeroderma pigmentosum, albinism, and basal cell nevus syndrome
• Radiation therapy
• Medical conditions or drugs that suppress the immune system
• Personal history of one or more skin cancers
• Family history of skin cancer
• Actinic keratosis: Actinic keratosis is a type of flat, scaly growth on the skin. It is most often found on areas exposed to the sun, especially the face and the backs of the hands. The growths may appear as rough red or brown patches on the skin. They may also appear as cracking or peeling of the lower lip that does not heal. Without treatment, a small number of these scaly growths may turn into squamous cell cancer.
• Bowen's disease: Bowen's disease is a type of scaly or thickened patch on the skin. It may turn into squamous cell skin cancer.
• If you think you may be at risk for skin cancer, you should discuss this concern with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce your risk and can plan a schedule for checkups.

Prevention

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect yourself from the sun. Also, protect children from an early age. Doctors suggest that people of all ages limit their time in the sun and avoid other sources of UV radiation:

• It is best to stay out of the midday sun (from mid-morning to late afternoon) whenever you can. You also should protect yourself from UV radiation reflected by sand, water, snow and ice. UV radiation can go through light clothing, windshields, windows and clouds.
• Wear long sleeves and long pants of tightly woven fabrics, a hat with a wide brim, and sunglasses that absorb UV.
• Use sunscreen lotions. Sunscreen may help prevent skin cancer, especially broad-spectrum sunscreen (to filter UVB and UVA rays) with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. But you still need to avoid the sun and wear clothing to protect your skin.
• Stay away from sunlamps and tanning booths.

Diagnosis

If you have a change on the skin, the physician must determine whether it is due to cancer or to some other cause. Your doctor removes all or part of the area that does not look normal. The sample goes to a lab where a pathologist checks the sample under a microscope.

There are four common types of skin biopsies:

• Punch biopsy: The doctor uses a sharp, hollow tool to remove a circle of tissue from the abnormal area.
• Incisional biopsy: The doctor uses a scalpel to remove part of the growth.
• Excisional biopsy: The doctor uses a scalpel to remove the entire growth and some tissue around it.
• Shave biopsy: The doctor uses a thin, sharp blade to shave off the abnormal growth.

Treatment

Sometimes all of the cancer is removed during the biopsy. In such cases, no more treatment is needed. If you do need more treatment, your doctor will describe your options. Treatment for skin cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease, the size and place of the growth, and your general health and medical history. In most cases, the aim of treatment is to remove or destroy the cancer completely.

It often helps to make a list of questions before an appointment. To help remember what the doctor says, you may take notes or ask whether you may use a tape recorder. You may also want to have a family member or friend with you when you talk to the doctor.

Skin self-exam

Your doctor or nurse may suggest that you do a regular skin self-exam to check for skin cancer, including melanoma. The best time to do this exam is after a shower or bath. You should check your skin in a room with plenty of light. You should use a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. It's best to begin by learning where your birthmarks, moles and other marks are and their usual look and feel.

Check for anything new:

• New mole (that looks different from your other moles)
• New red or darker color flaky patch that may be a little raised
• New flesh-colored firm bump
• Change in the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole
• Sore that does not heal

By checking your skin regularly, you will learn what is normal for you. It may be helpful to record the dates of your skin exams and to write notes about the way your skin looks. If your doctor has taken photos of your skin, you can compare your skin to the photos to help check for changes. If you find anything unusual, see your doctor.