Welcome to Skin cancer Guide
Symptoms Skin Cancer Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Some Information on Basal Cell Skin Cancer
from:Skin cancer occurs in three forms; basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and melanoma. Of these three, basal cell skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. It is predominant in the US, where about a million new cases are reported every year.
Basal cells are the deepest layer in the epidermis while basal cell carcinomas are malignant growths that grow in this skin layer. This is a form of cancer that seldom metastasizes which results only in scars and disfigurement and seldom is life threatening. It is only if the cancerous cells invade the lymph or blood vessels that this cancer can pass on to the other organs of the body.
Basal call skin cancer is usually spread through local invasion of surrounding skin tissue. This is why the cancer can be cured by the early detection and treatment of the disease. If not treated quickly, basal cell skin cancer proves to be difficult to eliminate and may become large and disturbing.
The risk factors for basal skin cancer are:
• Too much and chronic exposure to the sun over numerous years
• As those with fair or white skin complexion and with blond or red hair are most susceptible to basal skin cancer, a majority of Americans suffer from this skin cancer.
• This cancer was first associated with older people but is now seen more in young adults
With self examination, it is possible to treat basal skin cancer in the bud. Look out for small and pearly nodules that may have telangiectasia on its surface with some ulceration and pigmentation. Even single, flat and depressed lesions that are hard to touch with yellowish or whitish indistinct borders should be referred to the doctor.
A simple biopsy is all that is required to diagnose basal cell carcinoma; and once detected, it is easy to treat. It is only about 5 to 10% of people suffering from basal cell skin cancer who are resistant to treatment, suffer with damage in surrounding skin and at times, may invade the bone and cartilage.
There are different treatment procedures for basal cell skin cancer:
• Curettage where a scalpel is used for scraping malignant tissue and is best for treating superficial carcinoma
• Topical chemotherapy where cancer cells are destroyed by applying pharmacologic agents to the skin
• Cryosurgery where the lesion is destroyed using liquid nitrogen by ultra cold freezing
• Surgical excision is used for removing the cancer when the carcinoma reaches deeper tissues
• Mohs microscopic surgery is the surgical removal of the carcinoma under direct microscopic observation
• Laser surgery where laser beam is used for destroying cancerous tissue
Check with your doctor to choose the best treatment option for your form of basal cell skin cancer.
Symptoms Skin Cancer Specific links
Symptoms Skin Cancer News
Free skin cancer screenings at UAMS
People concerned about changes to their skin are invited to participate in a free skin cancer screening from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 19 at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
Read more...petMD.com Lists the Top 10 Warning Signs of Cancer in Dogs and Cats
MIAMI, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, a time to spread awareness of the symptoms of cancer in dogs and cats. As cancer is the leading cause of death in cats and dogs, knowing ...
Read more...Melanoma Monday: Everything you need to know about skin cancer
Today is Melanoma Monday, meant to raise awareness for the most common type of cancer in the U.S. How much do you know about skin cancer? Find out everything you need to know here.
Read more...Snoring may be linked to cancer death
SAN FRANCISCO, May 20 (UPI) -- Snoring, one of the main symptoms of sleep disordered breathing, may be linked to cancer death, U.S. researchers say.
Read more...North Pinellas health notes: Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
Times staff Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 1 million cases diagnosed annually. About 12,000 people die each year from skin cancer and nearly 9,000 of those cases are from melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer for men and sixth most common for women. Florida residents ...
Read more...