What is skin cancer?
In humans, the uncontrolled growth of skin cells is called skin cancer in medical terms. Cancers that develop on the skin usually occur as a result of DNA damage caused by the ultraviolet effects and radiation of the sun’s rays to skin cells. We can group skin cancers into 2 main categories.
- Melanoma Skin Cancer:Melanoma skin cancers are rare, but they are considered the most dangerous type of skin cancer because they can spread to all internal and external organs in humans.
- Non-melanoma skin cancer: Non-melanoma skin cancers have a low probability of spreading. They are considered low-risk because they can be treated with a minor and simple surgery.
What are the types of skin cancer?
- Basal Cell Cancer (BCC):
It is the most common type of cancer originating from basal cells in the epidermis. It progresses slowly and does not metastasize. This type of cancer is rarely life-threatening. - Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC):It is a common type of skin cancer originating from squamous (flat) cells. It is frequently seen on the lips, face, and ears. It can spread to lymph nodes and sometimes even internal organs. If left untreated, this type of skin cancer can be life-threatening.
- Malignant Melanoma (MM):It is a type of skin cancer that originates from melanin-producing cells (melanocytes). Malignant melanomas are less common than other skin cancers. They generally occur more frequently in people with regularly sun-exposed areas. It is known as the most dangerous type of skin cancer, but it has a chance of being treated if diagnosed early. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant melanoma skin cancer is often fatal for patients.
What are the main factors that increase the risk of skin cancer?
- Having a fair complexion
- Having a skin structure that freckles easily.
- Having a large number of moles (nevus) on the body
- A family history of skin cancer.
- High-altitude regions near the equator experience intense sunlight throughout the year.
- For any reason, seeing someone who has received radioactive radiation therapy (radiotherapy).
- Having an open wound on the body that doesn’t heal for a long time.
- Chronic exposure to chemical carcinogens such as tar, pitch, and arsenic.
- Exposure to chronic microtraumas
How is skin cancer treated?
Treatment for skin cancer varies depending on the skin type, the stage of the cancer, and its location in the body. If the cancerous area is small, surgical removal can be easily performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia. For these small and less dangerous types, methods such as scraping (curettage), destroying cancer cells with an electric current (desiccation), and freezing and destroying cancer cells (cryotherapy) can also be used. However, these methods have a lower safety rating in terms of treatment; they carry a higher risk of scarring and deformation.
If the cancerous area is large and has spread to lymph nodes or another part of the body, major surgical procedures may be required to treat this skin cancer. In addition to surgery, other possible treatment options for skin cancer include radiotherapy (radiation therapy) and chemotherapy (administration of anticancer drugs).
Skin Cancer Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions about aesthetic procedures before, during, and after.
Hospitals, aesthetic treatment clinics, and centers approved by the Turkish Ministry of Health are prohibited from listing skin cancer treatment prices on their websites, and the state imposes penalties on institutions that do not comply with this rule. Furthermore, for Professor Dr. Şükrü Yazar, a specialist in Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, to provide accurate information regarding skin cancer treatment prices, he needs to examine the patient, analyze their current health condition, and assess their complaints through body and skin analysis.
Nişantaşı Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Specialist
You can obtain information and request an appointment by calling +90 212 257 1515 or +90 541 334 3484 or by contacting patient advisors via live support to ask questions such as “How much do skin and dermatological cancer treatments cost, how do the treatment processes progress?” regarding skin cancer treatment applications.
Human skin consists of two layers called the “epidermis” and “dermis.” The epidermis is the uppermost layer of the skin, protecting the body from external factors and preventing water, electrolyte, and heat loss. The dermis lies beneath the epidermis. Hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands, blood vessels, and nerves are located in this layer. Deeper down is the subcutaneous fat tissue. Skin cancers can originate from the basal layer of the epidermis or from the cell layers above it. Although skin cancers are more common in the head and neck, they can occur on any skin surface of the body. Skin cancers develop more frequently in areas of the body exposed to the sun.
The main cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet rays from the sun. Therefore, people who are constantly exposed to sunlight, as well as those who are frequently in contact with electric lamps and artificial tanning light sources that emit ultraviolet rays, have a higher risk of skin cancer than others.
Moles are clusters of densely pigmented skin cells. They can be present at birth or develop later. While many are harmless, large, hairy moles present from birth, as well as moles of varying colors and with indistinct borders, carry a risk of developing into malignant melanoma. Moles (nevus) can be surgically removed for cosmetic reasons, in cases of persistent irritation, and when there is a risk of developing malignant melanoma.
Keratoses, on the other hand, are skin lesions that appear as rough or scaly patches, brown or red in color. They are usually found in areas of the skin more exposed to the sun. They have a risk of turning cancerous, and all moles showing these signs should be surgically removed.
Basal and squamous cell carcinomas can appear in various forms:
– As a small, white or pinkish mass
– As a smooth, shiny, pitted surface
– As a dry, scaly, red spot
– As a crusted, red, lumpy mass
– As small, crusted masses side by side
– As a white patch resembling a scar
– Lesions that do not heal in 2-4 weeks and may bleed and be painful
Malignant melanoma, on the other hand, can often start from a mole or from normal skin. The following changes in any mole are considered warning signs for cancer:
– Asymmetry
– Irregular edges
– Different color tones
– Crusting
– Bleeding
– Itching
– Redness around the mole
– Increased hair growth
– Size greater than 6 mm or an abnormal increase in size
Moles exhibiting many of the above changes must be surgically removed and subjected to histopathological examination for malignant melanoma.
Skin cancers can recur, but it’s possible to reduce the risk of recurrence. Here are some things you can do to prevent skin cancer from recurring:
– Don’t skip regular checkups.
– Avoid sun exposure, especially between 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM during the summer months.
– Be careful, remembering that ultraviolet rays can pass through water and clouds and reflect off sand and snow.
– When spending extended periods outdoors, try to wear a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved clothing.
– Regularly check your skin and consult a specialist if you notice anything suspicious.
– After swimming or sweating in environments like the sea or pool, regularly apply sunscreen with at least SPF 15 to sun-exposed areas of your skin.
