Skin Cancer

1 out of every 5 people will get skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world. If caught early, it is the easiest form of cancer to treat. That doesn’t mean should put it off—if you see something that is changing on your skin, you should have it checked immediately.

Dermatology Office, P.C., has two locations to conveniently serve you, in the 2nd floor at the Coppertop, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and in Paragould, Arkansas. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Skin Cancer Symptoms

A = Asymmetry: Most moles will have fairly regular circular or oval shapes. If you have a mole that is drastically asymmetrical—meaning that if you drew a line across the middle and one side looked different than the other—you should consider getting it checked.
B = Border: Normal moles have clearly defined borders where there is a clear, distinct shape. If you see a mole with a border that is irregular or uneven you should get it checked immediately.
C = Color: If you have a mole that is changing colors you should have it checked immediately. Cancerous lesions typically get darker. Any change in color is a definite indicator of danger.
D = Diameter: If you have a mole that is larger than a pencil eraser (about ¼ in) you should have it checked.
E = Evolving: Your moles should not change or evolve in any way. If you have a mole that starts changing in any way, you should have it checked immediately.

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Types of Skin Cancer

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. Melanoma can look harmless. The symptoms are often subtle and can go unnoticed. While symptoms go unnoticed, melanoma has the potential to become metastic — meaning it can spread to other parts of your body. Mestatasizing is the most dangerous aspect of melanoma. It can spread to the liver, lungs, and brain.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma is a condition where a person is suffering from an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells take rise in the squamous cells, which makes up most of the upper layer of the skin, also known as the epidermis. Squamous cell carcinoma forms red patches on the skin. Open sores, elevated growths or the occurrences of warts are common manifestations. The warts may crust or bleed with time. These symptoms can worsen with time and if unattended to, can cause serious detriment to one’s wellbeing. In the United States, squamous cell carcinoma is diagnosed for about more than 1 million people.

What Causes SCC?

Squamous cell carcinoma is usually caused by cumulative ultraviolet (UV) exposure. It’s development is gradual over a course of a lifetime. Exposure to UV lights over years via tanning on the beach during the summer and/or the use of tanning beds are all contributors to maturation. It will generally appear in the areas that have been most exposed to UV light, such as the head, neck and the back of the hands. Women often have it on their lower legs. However, it is also possible to have SCC appear in places such as the mouth and genitals as well.

Symptoms can include pigment changes, freckles, wrinkles, broken blood vessels and age spots. People with fair skin, light hair and grey, green or blue eye color are at more risk in contracting SCC. Those who work outdoors for long periods of time or who engage in outdoors activities are also more prone to contracting SCC as well.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

This is the most common form of skin cancer in the world with an annual 2.8 million cases in the United States every year. BCCs are easy to treat in their early stages with a cure rate of close to 100 percent. However, BCCs can damage surrounding tissue and cause disfigurement. While they very rarely metastasize, BCCs continue to grow and will cause large scars.

Basal Cell Carcinoma symptoms include a red, irritated patch of skin or a pink growth that sometimes crusts or bleeds. These look like sores that simply will not heal. They can sometimes appear shiny or scar-like. Any injury on the skin that does not heal quickly or regularly is suspicious. If you have a lesion that is perpetually bleeding or oozing, do not wait to get it treated.