Skin Cancers are basically cancers of the skin. Skin cancer is a broad term referring to a range of varied cancers that initiate in the skin or mucosa of the body. This includes the skin of any part of the body.
What are the types of skin cancers ?
There are several types of cancers that can initiate in the skin. Only cancers which initiate in the skin are counted as skin cancers, not the other cancers which spread from other organs to the skin. These include ;
- Basal cell cancers or carcinomas : These are skin cancers that consist of basaloid cells (resembling the basal cells that line the skin) and are called basal cell carcinomas.
- Squamous cell carcinomas : These are skin cancers that initiate in the squamous cells that line the skin and are called squamous cell carcinomas.
- Melanomas : These are skin cancers that initiate in the melanocytes (cells that generate the pigment, melanin) of the skin and are called melanomas. These advance rapidly, if not detected in time.
There are other varieties of skin cancers too, but they are far less common. These include Merkel cell carcinomas, Kaposi’s sarcoma, Cutaneous or skin lymphoma and skin adnexal tumours (tumours of hair follicles & other skin appendages).
What are the causes for skin cancers ?
- Sun Exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or other sources is a key risk factor for most of the skin cancers. Out of all the sources of UV radiation, sunlight is the largest source, followed by tanning lamps and beds, as well. People who are exposed to UV radiation from these sources are at increased risk for developing skin cancer. The quantum of UV exposure a person is exposed to depends on the potency of the UV- rays, the duration of exposure, and if the skin is protected by clothing or sunscreen creams.
- Certain Viruses: High risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), both oncogenic viruses are also considered risk factors in skin cancer. HPV infection has an identified role in carcinogenesis, especially in mucosal cancers.
What are the Clinical features of skin cancers ?
The clinical features can vary from asymptomatic to painful lesions, a persistent sore or swelling that does not subside, unusual bleeding or numbness, white patches (leukoplakia) or red patches (erythroplakia).
How are skin cancers diagnosed ?
- A complete physical examination of the body is mandatory. During this physical examination, the suspected area has to be checked for size, shape, colour and texture of lesion, and if at all it is bleeding, oozing, or showing crusting. Moles and spots, as well as adjacent lymph nodes also need to be examined.
- Imaging Tests: To determine what the tumour is and its exact extent, imaging tests may need to be performed so doctors can view, assess and judge the cancer and determine how far it has progressed or spread. Dermatologists use dermoscopy (also known as surface microscopy or dermatoscopy) to observe spots on the skin better. A dermatoscope is a specialized magnifying lens with an attached light source.
- Skin Biopsy: Removed tissue examined under a microscope by a dermato-pathologist is the only sure-shot way to make a definitive skin cancer diagnosis.
How are skin cancers staged ?
Physical examination is most definitive if carried out when the patient is under general anaesthesia. There is a local & distant staging.
Grade and Stage describe the skin tumour, helping to provide guidance for the doctors in choosing the best treatment option(s). Staging is a careful attempt to find out the exact extent and spread of the cancer. The higher the stage the further the cancer has grown away from its original site in the skin.
Grade refers to what the cancer cells look like, and how much they resemble their cell of origin or differentiation. The higher the grade, the more aggressive the tumour is.
Staging : TNM system
T (Tumour) 1–4: Refers to the size of the primary tumour. The higher the “T” number, the bigger the cancer is.
N (Nodes) 0–3: Shows whether the cancer has spread to the regional lymph nodes of the neck. 0 means zero nodal involvement; and 1, 2 or 3 indicates increasing or more nodal involvement.
M (Metastasis) 0–1: Cancer has spread (undergone metastasis) to other sites & organs (1) or it has not (0).
How are skin cancers treated ?
Treatment options for Skin Cancers depend on the type of cancer, staging of the cancer, and its location. The best therapeutic approach consists of simple surgery for early skin cancers and a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiotherapy for advanced skin cancers. The treatments for skin cancer include ;
- Surgery : The aim of surgery is to remove the tumour tissue and preserve as much of unaffected tissue possible. The type of surgery depends on the part of skin affected. If tumour is small, surgery is localized. If it has spread to local lymph nodes, your surgeon has to remove the nodes, in an operation called a lymphadenectomy.
- Radiation Therapy: A cancer treatment that utilizes high-energy x-rays or basically radiation to eradicate cancer cells. Radiation can be used on select patients that are sensitive to radiation. Radiation therapy can also be used post surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Another kind of cancer treatment that uses either drugs or chemical substances (hence the name chemotherapy) to kill cancer cells and prevent them from dividing.
What is the care to be taken after the removal of a skin cancer ?
Metastatic diagnostic workup and monitoring post-treatment has to include examination of skin and for advanced or metastatic skin cancers (especially melanomas), imaging and scanning of the body by radiography, MRI or CT scans have to be done.
Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be required in cases wherein excision cannot be done completely.
How can skin cancers be prevented ?
Skin cancers can be prevented by use of protective gear (hats & clothes), sunscreen and sunglasses. It is crucial to use good sun protection factor creams (SPF creams).
It is really important to self-examine skin routinely and regularly, as early detection of skin cancers lead to their effective and successful treatment.
How to find cancer specialists for skin cancer treatment ?
Now you can find cancer specialists for skin cancer treatment from different cancer hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions and information from multiple cancer specialists, cost estimates for skin cancer treatment from different cancer hospitals, compare things and then choose a cancer specialist or a cancer hospital for skin cancer treatment.
Find and choose a cancer specialist for skin cancer treatment on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
