There are three main types of skin cancer: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common form of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.
Patients who develop a basal or squamous cell carcinoma have a 30-50% chance of developing a second one within 5 years. In addition, they present an increased risk of developing melanoma. They should therefore be monitored at regular intervals.
Basal cell carcinoma is quite common over the age of 60. Usually, it occurs on parts of the body that have been extensively exposed to the sun – especially the face, ears, neck, head, shoulders, and back. Open phototype, photoaging, contact with arsenic, chronic skin diseases, burns, scars, and vaccines are aggravating factors. It rarely metastasizes, but it can cause damage to the surrounding tissues and deformity. Sometimes basal cell carcinomas look like non-cancerous skin lesions, such as psoriasis or eczema. Its diagnosis is established clinically and with the help of dermatoscopy, while it is confirmed by biopsy. It is treated with surgical removal.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer. It is usually found in areas most exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, lips, and scalp. It appears as an ulcerated nodule, the surface of which is irregular, red, vegetative, slightly painful, and easily bleeds. The base of the tumor seems thick due to infiltration. Often, it is covered by a scab. Squamous cell carcinoma can occur de novo or in the setting of a precancerous lesion such as actinic hyperkeratosis and Bowen's disease. It is treated with surgical removal.
Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, either on previously healthy skin or where there is a preexisting mole. When there is a mark (an olive) that is brown or black, it should be periodically checked and observed if there is any change. If the spot grows suddenly, if the color darkens, if it bleeds, if it causes pain, and in general, if there is any change, we must seek the advice of a Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon. As melanoma causes metastases, early diagnosis is necessary. All patients are treated surgically. The biopsy is the one that will establish the definitive diagnosis.
The types of melanoma are as follows:
- Superficial spreading melanoma. Superficial spreading melanoma accounts for 70% of melanoma cases and occurs at any age. It appears as a small lesion with irregular borders. The color of the lesion can be red, white, blue, or black-blue. It can appear anywhere on the body but most commonly occurs on the trunk or extremities.
- Nodular melanoma. Nodular melanoma is the most aggressive type of melanoma. It appears as a raised lump anywhere on the skin. It is usually black but can be blue, gray, white, brown, red, or skin-colored. It may ulcerate and not heal completely. Nodular melanomas account for 10-15% of melanoma cases. It appears more often at the age of 50-60 and affects twice as many men as women. It usually appears on the head, neck, and chest.
- Melanoma of the extremities. This melanoma appears as dark lesions on the palms, soles, fingertips, and mucous membranes. It accounts for 10% of melanoma cases.
- Melanoma of malignant spot. It appears as a large brownish spot with darker dots on the skin exposed to the sun, such as on the face and neck, especially on the nose and cheeks. It accounts for about 5% of melanoma cases. It often affects older adults and is associated with skin aging. A non-cancerous brown spot can appear for many years before it becomes cancerous.
- Amelanotic melanoma. Any type of melanoma can be amelanotic. The characteristic finding is that it has no pigment.
