Skin Cancer

Cancer that develops in the skin is called skin cancer. There are 3 main types of skin cancer namely: basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma. 

  • Basal Cell Carcinoma: These cells usually grow in sun-exposed body areas, namely the neck or face. It may appear as a waxy bump or a bleeding blister.

  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma: These cells are more likely to develop in dark skin people. And are commonly found on the face, ears, and hand. And appears like a flat sore with a scaly and thick surface.

  • Melanoma: A severe type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin - a pigment that gives your skin its color. In women, these cells usually develop on the legs, and in men, it develops on the back. 

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Following are the less common types of cancer:

  • Kaposi sarcoma: A type of skin cancer that grows in the lining of blood and lymph nodes. It usually appears as a painless purple blemish on the legs, face, or feet. It is typically found in people with weak immune systems. 

  • Merkel Cell Carcinoma: The rarest type of skin cancer that typically appears as a bluish-red lump on or underneath the skin and hair follicles. And is usually found on the head, neck, and torso.    

  • Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma: Cancer that develops in the oil gland of your skin. It usually appears as a thick lump formed on the eyelid. It grows rapidly and might spread to other body parts. 

 

Treatment

Sometimes, surgery alone can remove all the cancer tissue if the cancer is small and is confined to only the surface of the skin. Other skin cancer treatments can either be used alone or in combination, featuring:

  • Cryotherapy: A therapy that uses severe cold to freeze and remove cancerous skin tissues. 

  • Mohs Surgery: This type of surgery is typically performed when the tumor has grown to a larger size and when cancer becomes difficult to treat. In this procedure, the doctor removes cancerous cells without removing an excessive amount of skin.  

  • Curettage or Electrodissection: In this procedure, the doctor uses a circular blade (curet) to remove cancerous cells. Further, the area is treated with an electric needle to eliminate the remaining cells. And is often used for treating basal cell and squamous cell cancers and precancerous skin tumors. 

  • Radiation Therapy: A therapy where the cancer cells are killed and restrained from growing with radiation energy.

  • Photodynamic Therapy: In this procedure, light reactive medicine and light energy is used to destroy and restrain cancerous cells. 

 

For more information on skin cancer, book an online appointment or visit us at Anand Cancer Hospital.