Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among cancer diseases. Scientific studies conducted in our country have shown that melanoma, a type of skin cancer, has tripled in the last 30 years. At the same time, melanoma is the most threatening cancer type among skin cancer types, but its incidence is less than other types of skin cancer. When basal and flat skin cancers other than melanoma are compared, it has been proven as a result of studies that basal skin cancer is more common.
What is Skin Cancer?
Although skin cancer is not considered as important as other types of cancer, it is known that one out of a hundred patients results in death as a result of delayed treatment. For this reason, early diagnosis and treatment are important in skin cancer, as in other types of cancer. If the necessary treatments are not done, it leaves permanent scars on the body. In addition, skin cancer poses a life-threatening risk if treatment is delayed. Considering all these risks, it is important to start treatment early.
Skin cancer occurs when skin cells grow abnormally. It is mostly seen in individuals who are directly exposed to the harmful rays of the sun. However, this common type of cancer does not mean that it will only appear on sun-exposed areas of the skin. There is always the possibility of being seen in areas of the body that are not exposed to the sun. The skin is the largest organ of the body and protects the human body against sunlight, injuries and infections. In addition, it helps to maintain the balance of body temperature; It provides storage of water, fat and vitamin D.
Skin consists of several layers, the main layer is the epidermis and the lower or inner layer is the dermis. Skin cancer occurs in the epidermis, that is, in the upper - outer layer, which consists of three different cells. Of these cells, squamous cells are flat and thin cells that make up the upper layer of the epidermis. Basal cells are the round cells under this structure. Cells called melanocytes are cells located in the lower part of the epidermis. It is responsible for the production of melanin pigment, which gives the skin its natural color.
As a result of the skin being exposed to the sun more than necessary, more melanin pigment is produced and this leads to darkening of the skin. causes. Thus, skin cancer occurs. This cancer can occur anywhere in the body. However, it mostly occurs in places that are more exposed to sunlight such as the face, neck and hands.
What are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is primarily the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck It develops on sun-exposed areas, including the chest, arms, and hands, and in women, usually the legs. Skin cancer can affect anyone, including people with dark skin. Although the symptoms of skin cancer may vary according to the types, the most basic symptoms are:
- The formation of non-healing or constantly recurring wounds on the skin,
- Changes in the shape, size and color of moles (nevus) in the body, generally round shaped Irregularities occurring on the edges of moles,
What are the Causes of Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer occurs when errors (mutations) occur in the DNA of skin cells. Mutations cause cells to grow out of control and form a cancer mass. Ultraviolet (UV) rays found in sun rays and tanning tools damage the DNA of skin cells. However, since skin cancer does not occur in people who are only exposed to sunlight, it is not correct to attribute this cancer to sunlight alone.
When the skin is exposed to toxic substances, other health factors such as weak immunity and sun rays are combined, the risk of skin cancer is high. The melanins in the skin provide protection against harmful rays from the sun. This is why dark-skinned people had higher protection against the sun r. This means that fair-skinned people have an increased risk of skin cancer when exposed to too much sun. So having light skin color is one of the causes of skin cancer. Having sunburn that causes blistering multiple times in childhood or adolescence increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.
Climates with high altitudes and long exposure to sunlight are more likely to develop skin cancer. Having more moles on the body than normal and an uncontrolled increase in the number of moles also increase the risk.
People who have had skin cancer in their family before are in the higher risk group. Exposure to certain substances, such as arsenic, increases the likelihood of developing skin cancer. Individuals with diseases such as HIV and AIDS are in the high risk group because their immune system is weak. Today, radiation treatments applied in skin diseases such as eczema and acne are among the causes of skin cancer.
What are the Types of Skin Cancer Diseases?
There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell (carcinoma), squamous cell and melanoma.
- Basal cell cancer: Basal cells are responsible for producing new ones as old cells die in the skin. With the damage of these cells, transparent bumps form on the skin. These bumps usually appear on the head and neck. The most important cause of basal cell skin cancer is exposure to UV rays for too long.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cells form the middle and outer layers of the skin. Skin cancer that develops in these areas of the skin is called squamous cell skin cancer. The most important symptom is the formation of open wounds on the skin. It also occurs due to prolonged exposure to UV rays due to sun rays and tanning beds.
- Melanoma: It is the most serious type of cancer. Although very rare, it can occur in the eyes, inside the nose and in the inner parts of the body. Although the exact cause is unknown, exposure to UV rays also triggers the formation of melanoma. Studies have shown that the risk of occurrence is higher in women under the age of 40. It is also a type of skin cancer that carries a risk of death when it reaches the fourth stage. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment It is very important.
How to Diagnose Skin Cancer?
A technique called dermoscopy can be used for the diagnosis of skin cancer. This method is used in the early diagnosis of dark-colored lesions on the skin, moles, and skin cancers with and without melanoma. The purpose of this method is to make a skin map of the body and to examine it at regular intervals. Thus, by detecting the changes in the moles, an idea about the diagnosis of the disease is obtained.
Skin biopsy is performed for the treatment of some cancers. In skin biopsy, a specific area is anesthetized with local anesthesia and a sample is taken from the skin. The size of this piece to be taken is usually between 3-5 mm. The piece taken is examined in the pathology laboratory to determine whether cancer cells are present in the skin.
These are the two most commonly used diagnostic methods. The most definitive result is reached by skin biopsy.
The names are given from 1 to 4 according to the level of cancer. 4 is the most advanced level and refers to patients in the risk group. The type of treatment is determined according to the stage of the cancer. Determining the type of treatment and starting it as soon as possible increases the probability of recovery.
What are the Treatment Methods for Skin Cancer?
Treatment of skin cancer varies depending on the size, type, depth and location of the lesions. Small skin cancers that are confined to the surface of the skin often do not require treatment after a biopsy.
However, in cancers requiring treatment, treatment methods such as freezing, excisional surgery, Mohs surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, biological therapy, curettage and electrodesiccation or cryotherapy are used. Freezing treatment is the eradication of some small, early skin cancers by freezing them with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery).
Surgical removal of the cancerous area is an excisional surgery method. It can be applied in all types of skin cancer.
Mohs surgery is applied in more advanced and recurrent skin cancers. It is applied in sensitive areas such as the nose, where as much tissue as possible needs to be saved.
X-rays are used to kill cancer cells in radiation therapy. This treatment is used when the cancer cell is not completely removed by surgery.
In chemotherapy, cancer cells � Various drugs are used to kill. These drugs are limited to creams or lotions when the cancer is limited to the surface of the skin, while heavier drugs are also used for more common cancers. Photodynamic therapy is the use of certain drugs that make cancer cells sensitive to light.
The purpose of biological therapy is to strengthen the body's immune system. It is aimed to strengthen the immune system and fight cancer cells. In curettage and electrodesiccation or cryotherapy treatment, after a large part of the cancer cell is removed, the layers of cancer cells are scraped off with a device called a curette with circular blades. With the help of an electric needle, the remaining cancer cells are destroyed. In addition to this treatment, freezing with nitrogen can also be applied.
This method is simple and is mostly used in the treatment of carcinoma and squamous cell skin cancers. Early treatment often ensures complete elimination of skin cancer.
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