Posts Tagged ‘Skin Cancer’
Skin cancer symptoms
The symptoms of non-melanoma includes basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Skin cancer “nonmelanoma” is the most common and also less dangerous than the “melanoma.”
Symptoms of skin cancer are:
- Small lump or mole, waxy, pale glossy and smooth.
- A firm red lump.
- A spot or sore that bleeds or does not heal.
- Any kind of growth that is suspicious
Tumors usually are painless, so it is recommended that skin self-examination routinely to detect changes in the skin and an annual review by the health care clinician.
When a mole is suspected irregular or lump should immediately consult a specialist.
Also, people with a family history of cancer or who are at increased risk of developing pre-emptively should consult a dermatologist.
Anyone can develop skin cancer, but there are some who are more likely because they have special features such as:
- People who have freckles
- The clear skin tones
- Those who burn easily.
- People with blue eyes, like green and blue.
- People who have red or blond hair natural.
- Those who spend time outdoors
- Those exposed to the sun continuously and without adequate protection.
- When a family history of suffering from cancer of any of the two groups.
Treatments and remedies for skin cancer
To determine the type of treatment to follow the specialist shall be based on some basic facts:
Age, health status and medical history.
- In which state is the disease.
- Tolerance to certain therapies, procedures and medications.
There are several types of treatments for skin cancer , including:
Surgery is used in most cases, in some cases are treated in other minor surgery and may require more extensive procedures. Can be performed intra-operatively:
- Cryosurgery freezes the tumor and thereby destroy cancer cells.
- Electrodesiccation: It burns and removes the lesion.
- Implants: Once the cancer removed skin grafts to replace the damaged one.
- Laser: cancer cells are eliminated by applying a light beam.
- Mohs micrographic surgery: It removes the cancer and as little normal tissue as possible.
- Simple excision: The tumor and some healthy tissue around it.
Radiation Therapy: With the application of X-rays to kill cancer cells and reduces tumor.
Electro-chemotherapy: A combination of chemotherapy and electrical pulses to the affected area.
Chemotherapy is treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
Topical chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is administered through a cream or lotion.
Systemic Chemotherapy: drugs are administered by pill or injection.
Biological Therapy: Try to make the body fight cancer by using materials created by the same body or laboratory.
Skin Cancer
The two types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. Generally, this type of disease on the face, neck, hands, arms and head. Another type of skin cancer more dangerous but less common than the so-called melanoma.
Anyone can get skin cancer, however there are some behaviors that may increase the chances of suffering, including:
• They spend much time basking in the sun and do it without proper protection.
• People of skin and eyes.
• Family history.
• People over 50 years of age.
Any suspicion or indication on the skin or at the slightest change in appearance in the epidermis should be the referral.
When detected early there are greater chances that the treatment is effective and achieving a complete remission of cancer.
To protect yourself it is advisable not to sunbathe at the times where its rays are strongest (between 10 am and 4 pm), always using the right sunscreen and sunglasses also provide 100% protection .
It is important to monitor and check the skin regularly for any changes in either birthmarks, moles or spots , as these can be a sign of skin cancer.
How to Diagnose Skin Cancer?
The doctor will be based on symptoms presented by the patient’s skin and medical history. When suspicion of abnormality is biopsied. The biopsy the tissue under a microscope to examine the type of cells present.
Depending on where you are the alteration of the skin and in whatever form, and there will be a type of biopsy or another.
Shave biopsy: numbed skin area to be biopsied under local anesthesia and scraping the skin’s upper layers with a scalpel blade.
Incisional and excisional biopsies: removing a wedge of skin. It makes for deeper tumors. With incisional biopsy removes only a part of the tumor for testing. Read the rest of this entry »
Main Measures Before and During Sun Exposure
- Avoid using cosmetic products containing alcohol and perfumes.
- Choosing the right sunscreen, depending on skin type, place of application and environmental conditions.
- Apply a good amount of solar products 30 minutes before sunbathing to dry skin.
- Avoid the sun without protection between midnight and four in the afternoon, at high altitudes and in areas close to Ecuador.
- Water, snow and sand reflect the sun’s rays acting and increasing its intensity. For this reason, it can cause burns even in the shade.
- The first few times you take the sun, you must use a more protective factor.
- Even on cloudy days, use sunscreen.
- You have to drink plenty of fluids to compensate for fluid loss due to sun exposure.
- After a bath, when you are sweating heavily, and after spending two hours of the previous application, will need to reapply sunscreen.
- After exposure to the sun, you have to drink plenty of fluids due to their loss.
Skin Cancer Prevention
The main risk factor for cancer is overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Avoid intense or prolonged sun exposure, trying not to be exposed at times when the solar radiation is larger is the best preventive measure that can be used.
Other forms include using materials that protect those sensitive areas such as the use of hats, sunglasses that absorb UV rays by 99% to 100%, or using appropriate fabrics to cover the skin.
Most inexpensive fabrics that are made of light colored summer clothes do not have ultraviolet filters let through much of this kind of radiation. It should be sunscreen in the trunk if it is to remain long in the sun, even wearing t-shirt.
The use of sunscreens reduces the risk of exposure. Must be used correctly, there are different degrees depending on the type of skin. They should be used with a time of sun exposure before and get better after bathing in the sea or pool.
As seen, the booths and tanning lamps are dangerous and should therefore be used with caution, avoiding excessive tanning.
When you notice a mole that has changed in appearance, or bleeding, call your doctor. This can be removed and biopsied to see if it is malignant or not.
This type of cancer can be prevented more than many others. Following the instructions above can be reduced or canceled much of the risk factors, so that the chances of developing skin cancer also decreased.
Skin Cancer Risk Factors: Genetic and Other Factors
Genetic factors
The nevoid basal cell epithelioma syndrome is an inherited disorder in which patients develop numerous basal cell carcinoma from the second decade of life and that ultimately affect any area of the skin.
Xeroderma pigmentosum is an inherited disorder that is caused by an alteration in DNA repair, is also associated with the occurrence of multiple cutaneous carcinomas.
In cutaneous malignant melanoma has been described a familial predisposition. The estimated risk is 70% present in patients with neurocutaneous melanosis and different types of xeroderma pigmentosum, from 1% in children of patients with non-familial melanoma alone and 6% in families with dysplastic nevus syndrome and history of two or more malignant melanomas.
Those who have been treated with medicines that suppress their immune systems, are more likely to develop melanoma. Read the rest of this entry »
Skin Cancer Risk Factors: Physical Characteristics Factors
Physical Characteristics
The white people of Scottish, English or Irish with blond or red hair, blue eyes and abundant freckles are especially susceptible.
Melanoma is very rare in the population being predominantly black or Oriental, when it occurs, little pigmented areas such as palms and plants and their prognosis is worse. The sensitivity of skin to sun tanning and the difficulty increases the risk of melanoma.
The skin reaction to sunlight is associated with factors such as skin pigmentation, the number of freckles in childhood or adulthood and the number of nevi (moles-like formations, which are benign melanocytic tumors), accounting for all factors risk for cutaneous malignant melanoma. Read the rest of this entry »
Skin Cancer Risk Factors: Environmental Factors
The reason that causes this type of cancer is not entirely known. Yes, we have studied some factors that influence their occurrence.
Environmental factors
Excessive exposure to the sun influences the production of these cancers. People who work outdoors, such as farmers and sailors, have a higher incidence. Often occur on exposed skin, often in head and neck.
Although sunlight helps to synthesize vitamins A and D, overexposure, produce or burns, increases the risk of developing skin cancer, including malignant melanoma.
There is a correlation between risk of melanoma and latitude. It also influences the time period during which a person has lived in Ecuador-latitude countries, which means excessive sun exposure maintained for a period of life. Read the rest of this entry »
Symptoms of Skin Cancer
The non-melanoma skin cancer may look like under various brands in the skin. In general, you should consult any stain that grows, changes shape or color, especially when it gets dark. Also, if bulges, itches or bleeds.
Basal cell carcinomas appear as red areas, flat or scaly areas or small waxy, shiny and translucent to the relief that may bleed. There may be some irregular blood vessel visible, or show areas of blue, brown or black.
Squamous cell carcinomas can look like growing lumps, rough surface, or flat as reddish patches of skin that grow slowly.
Melanoma may appear as a change in those spots on the skin. Any sore, lump, mark, etc. that is suspected might be a melanoma. The skin may become rough or scaly or may bleed or ooze.
You can take a melanoma from a mole, change in appearance or texture. In general, a mole is a spot of uniform color, brown, tan or black skin. Read the rest of this entry »