Skin Cancer

What is Skin (Skin) Cancer?

Skin cancers can occur on normal skin without warning or develop on a pre-existing mole, so moles should be carefully monitored.

The source of melanoma, which causes life-threatening skin cancer, is cells known as melanocytes. Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin, which gives the skin its color and provides tanning. Melanoma occurs when melanocytes become abnormal and multiply excessively and uncontrollably, and there is the potential to spread to other organs.

What Are the Types of Skin Cancer?

There are 3 types of skin cancer: basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma. While some types of cancer are easy to treat, some types can be life-threatening.

Basal Cell Cancer

The type of cancer seen in the basal cells in the top layer of the skin is the most common among skin cancers. It is mostly seen on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun. Those with light skin color are in the risk group for this type of cancer. In later ages, the disease may manifest itself in the form of wounds, blisters and red spots on the skin.

Squamous Cell Cancer

The features of squamous cell cancer are similar to basal cell cancers, the differences are that squamous cell cancer develops in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outer layers of the skin. It is mostly observed on the face, scalp, neck and hands that are exposed to UV rays, but can also be seen in areas of the body that are not exposed to the sun, and its symptoms and risk group are similar to basal cell cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment of squamous cell cancer is important because of the possibility of spreading.

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most dangerous and rarest type of skin cancer. It occurs with the uncontrolled proliferation of melanocyte cells that give the skin its color. Genetic susceptibility, exposure to UV rays are among the causes of the disease, and if left untreated, it can spread to the whole body and can be seen anywhere on the body as black, brown, blue, purple spots.

Ways to Prevent Skin Cancers

Since skin cancers usually start on the surface of the skin, they are one of the types of cancers that have a high chance of being detected in the early period. For early diagnosis, it is very beneficial to regularly check one’s own skin at regular intervals. For this reason, the person should examine the skin from head to toe in a sufficiently lit environment in a full-length mirror, naked every month, and make use of a hand mirror for hard-to-see areas.

Starting with the face, scalp (someone else may be asked for help), neck, shoulders, back, chest, etc. The groins, the inner parts of the arms and legs, the soles of the feet and between the fingers should not be forgotten. This process, which takes less than 5 minutes, should be done regularly at certain intervals.

The skin should be protected from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays and should not be exposed to direct sun between 11-4 pm, especially in summer. Protective clothing and sunscreen must be used. should not be exposed to artificial ultraviolet rays such as solarium for a long time

What Are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer?

Skin cancers can occur on normal skin without any warning or develop on a pre-existing mole. Therefore, the location and appearance of moles in the body should be well recognized in order to detect the changes. Melanoma moles can be confused with other atypical moles, and sometimes even mistaken for a normal mole, but that mole can be melanoma from the very beginning.

Symptoms of skin cancer include:

• Form and color changes in moles
• Skin peeling
• Deep bleeding
• Swelling or blistering on the mole

There may also be changes in the sensation of the mole such as itching, tenderness and pain, but the relevant physician (often a dermatologist) should advise on the necessity of removing an abnormal mole or monitoring it closely.

A method known as ABCDE rule is applied for easy detection of differentiation in the monitoring of moles, and it is recommended to consult a doctor if the following changes are observed.

• A (Asymmetry)

If one half of the mole does not look like the other half (in color and/or shape)

• B (Border)

If the borders of the mole are irregular (indented)

• C (Color/Color)

If the color of the mole is not homogeneous (two or more colors such as brown, black, red, gray, white are present together or if there is a mottled appearance)

• D (Diameter/Diameter)

If the mole is larger than 6 mm in diameter (roughly larger than the diameter of an eraser pencil)

• E (Evolution/Change)

The mole has changed in size, color, height, or other characteristics over the past few weeks, or a new symptom has developed

How is Skin Cancer Diagnosed?

Dermatoscope is a very important auxiliary diagnostic technique, especially in the differentiation of pigmented moles from skin cancers.

This method is applied with the help of a hand-held device or by recording images through computerized systems. What guides the diagnosis of skin cancer are the features perceived with the naked eye and the findings determined by dermatoscopic examination.

The definitive diagnosis of skin cancer is made as a result of the pathological examination of the surgically removed tissue. However, there is a common but wrong belief among the people that “If a scalpel touches it, it will cause cancer”. This belief is not true and surgical removal of a benign or pigmented lesion does not pose an additional risk to that mole. Unnecessary removal of moles can be prevented by using diagnostic methods.

Treatment Methods in Skin Cancer

Treatment for Small Fragmented Cancer Cells

Curettage and electrodessication (C and E): It is a form of treatment used for squamous cell cancer types. The procedure is to remove the skin cancer surface with a scraping tool (curette) and cut its base with an electric needle.

Laser therapy: It is a treatment technique used to vaporize skin lesions with an intense light beam.

Laser treatment prevents lesion growth and gives little damage to the lesion; It minimizes the risk of symptoms such as bleeding and swelling.

Cryosurgery: It is a method of freezing superficial skin lesions with a process called liquid nitrogen, and freezing is applied after the first scraping.

Photodynamic therapy: Treatment of superficial skin cancers; It is applied by combining photosensitizing drugs and light. Cell sensitivity is provided with a liquid drug and a light at a level to eliminate cancer cells shines into this area.

Treatment for Large Fragmented Cancer Cells

Simple excision (incision): When necessary (wide excision) the cancerous tissue and surrounding healthy skin lesion are cut, it may also be recommended to remove the normal skin surrounding the tumor.

Mohs surgery: During this surgery, your doctor removes the cancerous part layer by layer and continues the procedure until no abnormal cells remain. After examining each layer with the microscope, it is ensured that all growth has been removed and the process is terminated.

Radiation therapy: It is the inactivation of cancer cells using high-energy rays (X-rays and protons). Radiation therapy is sometimes used after surgery when the risk of the cancer returning increases. It can also be seen as an alternative method for people who cannot have surgery.

Treatments for Cancers That Have Spread Outside the Skin

Chemotherapy: It is the killing of cancer cells using powerful drugs. However, if the carcinomas lymph nodes have reached different parts of the body, it may be used in conjunction with treatments such as radiation alongside chemotherapy.

Targeted drug therapy: It is a treatment method combined with chemotherapy, which weakens the target and causes cancer cells to die.

Immunotherapy: Therapy that allows your immune system to fight cancer. However, your body’s disease-fighting immune system may not be able to counteract cancer because cancer cells produce proteins that blind immune system cells.

When Should You See Your Doctor?

Do not neglect to make an appointment with your doctor if you have a painful skin area, wound, or flat, scaly skin patch that does not heal in about two months. Please contact the dermatology unit for the treatment process. Your doctor will inform you whether you should contact the oncology unit according to the guidance to be made afterwards.

Personal Precautions to Take

Avoid the sun when the sun hits at a right angle. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 throughout the year.

Wear protective clothing. To cover your arms and legs; Wear wide-brimmed hats with dark, tightly woven clothing. You can also protect yourself with a clothing recommended by your dermatologist. Do not neglect your sunglasses and choose sunglasses that block UV radiation.

Take care not to use tanning beds, remember that tanning beds emit UV rays and can increase your risk of skin cancer.

Get to know your own skin and make regular personal check-ups. Be sure to inform your doctor about changes such as new skin growths, moles, swellings, wounds and glands. In particular, carefully examine your scalp, face, arms, hands, chest and torso. It is a personal precaution to examine your legs and genital area, including the soles of your feet, and to inform your doctor when necessary. Inform your skin specialist as soon as possible.