Skin Cancer: Symptoms, Types & Treatment

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is a medical condition or disease that is caused by abnormal growth of skin cells on skin tissue. Generally, skin cells grow independently, and when the old cells die, they are replaced by the new skin cells. However, exposure to harmful UV rays disrupts this process, resulting in the abnormal growth of skin cells.
 

Most of the time, these skin cells are benign and non-cancerous, which doesn't cause any harm. However, some cells can be cancerous and spread quickly if not treated properly.

Different Skin Cancer Types

Skin cancers are classified into various types based on the skin cells.
 

• Basal cell carcinoma - This skin cancer type grows in the basal cell, which grows in the lower part of the epidermis. Basal cells usually replace the cells in the lower epidermis. Mainly, the basal cell doesn't spread to other parts of the body, but it can be hazardous when it does. This skin cancer type usually grows in the base of the skin and can spread up to the outer skin part. The growth period of this type of cancer is prolonged. If caught on time, this cancer can be treated very easily.
• Squamous cell cancer - Further, another type of skin cancer is squamous cell cancer, the flat skin cells that affect the outermost part of the epidermis. These skin cancer types usually occur on the body parts exposed to the sun. This skin cancer can also occur on a human’s private part and inside the mouth. Squamous cell cancer is treatable if caught on time.
• Melanoma - Melanoma is another category of skin cancer type that develops on the Melanocytes cells, which gives our skin its colour. It is a common type of cancer and can grow on any part of the skin, even in the eyes. There are generally moles on the skin formed by the melanocytes. When these moles become cancerous, they can become life-threatening. If not treated on time, these cancerous cells can be spread quickly.
   

Other than this, there are rare types of skin cancer, which are as follows:

• Kaposi Sarcoma - It is a type of cancer found in the blood vessels and line lymph. This type generally causes lesions on the skin. It generally occurs in individuals with weak immune systems and human herpesvirus 8 condition.
• Merkel Cell Carcinoma - Another aggressive type of skin cancer is Merkel cell carcinoma, which affects the epidermis and outermost layer of skin. This cancer can spread aggressively to other organs and lymph nodes if not treated.
• Sebaceous Carcinoma - Further, Sebaceous carcinoma is a skin cancer type found in the sebaceous glands, also known as oil-producing glands. This type of cancer can usually return even after the treatment.

Risk Factors Associated With Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a common and prevalent disease that can be life-threatening. Excessive exposure to sunlight, particularly when you suffer from sunburn and blisters, is the primary skin cancer cause.

The skin's DNA is harmed by the sun's UV rays, leading to abnormal cell formation. These abnormal cells proliferate quickly and incoherently, aggregating into an accumulation of cancer cells. Other than this, an unhealthy lifestyle can be a significant skin cancer reason.

Several things can enhance the chance of having skin cancer.
 

• UV light exposure - If you spend half of your day exposed to sunlight without any protection, the chances of skin cancer are high. Excessive tanning and sunburn are the signs that your skin is not prone to UV light exposure.
• Moles - Further, those who have moles that are growing and irregular in shape can be at risk of getting skin cancer. Most moles are benign and non-cancerous, but if the mole grows, it should be treated on time. Further, if you develop moles frequently on the skin, it's time to consult a doctor.
• Genetics - Skin cancer can be genetic; if your parents or someone in your family has skin cancer, the chances of getting skin cancer are more significant.
• Personal Medical History - Another thing that risks skin cancer is your medical history. If there is a history of developing skin cancer in the past, then it can happen again.
• Fair Skin - Skin cancer can happen to any skin type, but individuals with fair skin are more exposed to getting skin cancer. This is because fair people have less pigmentation on their skin, which leads to less protection from damaging UV light.
• High Altitude Climates - Another risk factor for getting skin cancer is associated with individuals living in high-altitude climatic areas or warm areas. People here are more exposed to direct sunlight than those in colder climates.
• Skin Lesions - Skin cancer is likely higher if you have actinic keratoses on your dermis. It is usually the precancerous cells that are rough in appearance. Its colour varies from skin to skin type, such as dark pink to brown.
• Harmful Substances - Lastly, your chances of getting skin cancer are high if exposed to substances like arsenic.

Various Skin Cancer Symptoms

Every disease has a tell, and skin cancer is no different. A wide variety of symptoms can help with underlying skin cancer. Some of the common early skin cancer symptoms are:
 

• If you have developed a new mole that is growing or bleeding.
• A waxy or pearly bump on the ear, face and neck.
• Further, a flat or pink or red colour bump on the skin.
• A skin area that looks like scars.
• Further, a wound on skin that doesn't heal or returns if it gets healed.
• A lesion that is rough and scaly, which causes itching and bleeding.

Available Skin Cancer Treatment

Various skin cancer detection procedures are available based on the type of skin cancer and its severity. The health practitioner will plan the treatment procedure after analysing the skin cancer types, location and other factors.

The treatment procedure for cancer is generally lengthy due to the severity of the disease. However, it can be treated if caught early in skin cancer. Some of the common skin cancer treatments are:
 

• Cryosurgery - It is a medical procedure that involves using highly freezing temperatures to remove abnormal skin tissues. In cryosurgery, the targeted area is treated with a cryogen, which causes the tissue to freeze. The freezing process can kill or damage abnormal cells, which the body's immune system then naturally eliminates.
• Mohs surgery - It is a specialised surgical technique primarily used to treat skin cancer, particularly basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The medical professional removes the visible cancerous tissue layer by layer in this surgery using their tools. The surgeon examines these tissue sections under a microscope to learn about the presence of cancer cells. The process goes on repeat until all the cancerous tissue is removed.
• Chemotherapy - It is the most commonly used treatment for cancer. It is a systemic approach, which means it impacts every organ in the body, and its main objective is to stop or limit the growth of cancer cells. However, this type of cancer treatment can also affect the healthy cells in our body.
• Photodynamic therapy - It is a medical procedure that seeks for and eliminates abnormal or malignant cells using a photosensitising medication and a particular kind of light. It is a safe way to treat various skin disorders, certain cancers, and other medical issues.
• Biological therapy - It is a cancer therapy that uses the human body's immune system to combat cancer cells. Biological therapy works by boosting the immune system's ability to identify and eliminate cancer cells more accurately.
• Immunotherapy - It is a revolutionary medical treatment that focuses on making the immune system strong enough to kill cancer cells. Unlike traditional treatments that directly target diseases, immunotherapy stimulates, enhances, or suppresses the immune system's response to achieve therapeutic goals.
  Treatment for skin cancer is available, but usually, cancer treatment is costly due to the lengthy medical procedure involved. Considering this, having a health insurance plan that provides coverage against critical illnesses like cancer, heart disease, etc., is necessary.

Preventive Measures For Skin Cancer

There are specific skin cancer prevention steps that need to be followed to lower the risk of getting cancer, such as:
 

• If it is not necessary, avoid going out during the peak hours of the day if you live in an area exposed to direct sunlight.
• No matter where you reside, wearing sun protection hats or sunscreens while heading out is best. It is best to use sunscreen with SPF over 30.
• Other than this, wearing protective clothing that covers your hands and legs and provides complete protection to you is necessary.
• It is best to avoid the usage of tanning beds since these beds emit UV rays and can enhance the chance of getting cancer.
• It is best to self-assess once a month to notice if there are any irregularities on your skin. It is best to consult a doctor if there are any irregular moles or variations in your skin.

What Kind of Doctor You Should Visit For Treating Skin Cancer?

Depending on the situation, you may need to consult with one or more of the following types of doctors or specialists:
 

• Dermatologist - Dermatologists can perform skin examinations, biopsies, and various skin cancer treatments, including minor surgeries for early-stage skin cancers.
• Oncologist - Medical oncologists specialise in cancer treatment, including systemic therapies like chemotherapy and targeted therapy.
• Surgical Oncologist -A surgical oncologist may be involved in treating more extensive or advanced skin cancers requiring surgical intervention. 

Conclusion

Various cancer myths cause fear among individuals. Cancer is a critical disease, but it can be cured when treated on time. The early detection of skin cancer not only leads to successful treatment but also helps individuals follow a healthy lifestyle.

Further, treating skin cancer is extensive and can cause a financial burden, considering that having a health insurance plan with critical illness coverage is a suitable choice.