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Symptoms of skin cancer

The structure of human skin is complex, because it is the first barrier to harmful influences from outside. Our skin consists of cells of various tissues, and each of them can mutate, becoming cancerous cell. This explains the large number of different types of cancer of the skin and a variety of symptoms of skin cancer.

All types of skin cancer can be divided into three main groups:

  • Melanoma,
  • Basal cell skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma),
  • Squamous cell carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma).

Melanoma

Melanoma develops from the cells of melanocytes. It can appear on any area of skin moles. Melanoma most often develops in conditions of high insolation in adults with fair skin. Signs of skin cancer can be noticed in areas not protected by clothing. It is slightly bleeding papule or nodule, it can be dark brown or black, rarely without color.

Melanoma is the most malignant of all types of tumor diseases of the skin, and that it often gives early metastasis. At first they may appear as multiple nodules throughout the body.

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common tumor of the epithelium. It develops from atypical basal cells of the follicular epithelium and epidermis. Cancer of the scalp is most often the basal cell. This form of skin cancer occurs mainly in older people.

Basal cell carcinoma begins with the appearance of single papules measuring 2-5 mm, which may not cause any sensations. The papule grows slowly for several years, 1-2 cm, often metastasizes. The Central part of the basal cell carcinoma is falling apart, covered with a bloody crust. Forms an ulcer, which, increasing in size, scarring in the Central part. Basal cell carcinoma may appear as a flat scaly plaque protruding from the skin site, or a deep ulcer, which destroys the underlying tissue.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma – the tumor malignancy that begins in the epidermis. This tumor develops on any part of the skin and mucous membranes, often in areas of their transition into each other. The tumor may grow both outward and deep tissue. In this case, develop non-healing ulcers and secondary infections. These are the symptoms of skin cancer that cause quite painful.

The causes of cancer as such is not clear, but identified risk factors that trigger pathological processes. Among such factors often referred to as excess UV light, ionizing radiation, exposure to carcinogens, decrease in immunity, chronic diseases of the skin.

Hereditary factor is also important in the development of cancerous tumors. People whose profession is associated with frequent skin irritations (heat, chemical exposure), more susceptible to cancer of the skin.

How to recognize skin cancer?

inflammatory changes, dermatitis. The difference is that inflammation are under conventional treatment, a skin cancer developing. It is therefore very important in prolonged inflammation, in cases where lesions on the skin or some neoplasms do not undergo more than three weeks, consult a dermatologist. You need to be diagnosed, especially if there are risk factors. In the early stages of cancer of the skin may be more amenable to treatment.