A 70-year old male was brought for consult because of a non-healing ulcer on his chin. It apparently started as 'pimple-like' lesion that was abraded during shaving. The ulceration persisted for over a month prompting consult. Histopath of the removed tissue revealed Basal Cell Carcinoma. It's been almost 2 months since the surgery but the incision site remained conspicuous. He is scheduled for Moh's Micrographic surgery.
2 years ago, I also removed a mole from a 54-year old female from the tip of her nose for aesthetic reason and because apparently it was getting bigger. Histopath of the removed tissue also turned out to be Basal Cell Carcinoma. When the patient showed up for follow-up 2 months after, except for a very minimal scar on the operative site, there was no sign of recurrence or 'danger' sign of cancer. I opted to observe and so far, the patient is well up to this time.
I have had other cases of skin cancer and each has its own behavior. It's not that common here in the Philippines but it's still worth looking into. For the information of everyone interested, here's a brief discussion regarding the condition.
2 years ago, I also removed a mole from a 54-year old female from the tip of her nose for aesthetic reason and because apparently it was getting bigger. Histopath of the removed tissue also turned out to be Basal Cell Carcinoma. When the patient showed up for follow-up 2 months after, except for a very minimal scar on the operative site, there was no sign of recurrence or 'danger' sign of cancer. I opted to observe and so far, the patient is well up to this time.
I have had other cases of skin cancer and each has its own behavior. It's not that common here in the Philippines but it's still worth looking into. For the information of everyone interested, here's a brief discussion regarding the condition.
Skin cancer — the abnormal growth of skin cells — most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer also can occur on areas of the skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.
There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are slow growing and highly treatable, especially if found early. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It affects deeper layers of the skin and has the greatest potential to spread to other tissues in the body. All three types of skin cancer are on the rise — but most skin cancers can be prevented by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and by paying attention to suspicious changes in your skin. If caught early enough, most skin cancers can be successfully treated.
Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. But it also can form on areas that rarely see the light of day — the palms, spaces between the toes and the genital area. A cancerous skin lesion can appear suddenly or develop slowly. Its appearance depends on the type of cancer.
Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. But it also can form on areas that rarely see the light of day — the palms, spaces between the toes and the genital area. A cancerous skin lesion can appear suddenly or develop slowly. Its appearance depends on the type of cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma
This is the most common skin cancer, accounting for nearly 90 percent of all cases. It's also the most easily treated and the least likely to spread. Basal cell carcinoma usually appears as one of the following:
A pearly or waxy bump on your face, ears or neck
A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion on your chest or back
A pearly or waxy bump on your face, ears or neck
A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion on your chest or back
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is easily treated if detected early, but it's slightly more apt to spread than is basal cell carcinoma. Most often, squamous cell carcinoma appears as one of the following:
A firm, red nodule on your face, lips, ears, neck, hands or arms
A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface on your face, ears, neck, hands or arms
A firm, red nodule on your face, lips, ears, neck, hands or arms
A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface on your face, ears, neck, hands or arms
Melanoma
This is the most serious form of skin cancer and the one responsible for most skin cancer deaths. Melanoma can develop in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that turns malignant. Although it can occur anywhere on the body, melanoma appears most often on the upper back or face in both men and women.
Warning signs of melanoma include:
A large brownish spot with darker speckles located anywhere on your body
A simple mole located anywhere on your body that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
A small lesion with an irregular border and red, white, blue or blue-black spots on your trunk or limbs
Shiny, firm, dome-shaped bumps located anywhere on your body
Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips and toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina and anus
Warning signs of melanoma include:
A large brownish spot with darker speckles located anywhere on your body
A simple mole located anywhere on your body that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
A small lesion with an irregular border and red, white, blue or blue-black spots on your trunk or limbs
Shiny, firm, dome-shaped bumps located anywhere on your body
Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips and toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina and anus
Other, less common types of skin cancer include:
Kaposi's sarcoma.
This rare form of skin cancer develops in the skin's blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes. Like melanoma, it's a serious form of skin cancer. It's mainly seen in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with AIDS and people taking medications that suppress their natural immunity, such as people who've undergone organ transplants.
Merkel cell carcinoma.
In this rare cancer, firm, shiny nodules occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. The nodules may be red, pink or blue and can vary in size from a quarter of an inch to more than 2 inches. Merkel cell carcinoma is usually found on sun-exposed areas on the head, neck, arms and legs. Unlike basal and squamous cell carcinomas, Merkel cell carcinoma grows rapidly and often spreads to other parts of the body.
Sebaceous gland carcinoma.
This uncommon and aggressive cancer originates in the oil glands in the skin. Sebaceous gland carcinomas — which usually appear as hard, painless nodules — can develop anywhere, but most occur on the eyelid, where they're frequently mistaken for benign conditions.
Precancerous skin lesions, such as an actinic keratosis, also can develop into squamous cell skin cancer. Actinic keratoses appear as rough, scaly, brown or dark-pink patches. They're most commonly found on the face, ears, lower arms and hands of fair-skinned people whose skin has been damaged by the sun.
Precancerous skin lesions, such as an actinic keratosis, also can develop into squamous cell skin cancer. Actinic keratoses appear as rough, scaly, brown or dark-pink patches. They're most commonly found on the face, ears, lower arms and hands of fair-skinned people whose skin has been damaged by the sun.
Not all skin changes are cancerous. The only way to know for sure is to have your skin examined by your doctor or dermatologist.
These factors may increase your risk of skin cancer:
Fair skin. Having less pigment (melanin) in your skin provides less protection from damaging UV radiation. If you have blond or red hair, light-colored eyes, and you freckle or sunburn easily, you're much more likely to develop skin cancer than a person with darker features is.
A history of sunburns. A sunburn is your body's attempt to heal itself from the sun's damaging rays. Every time you get sunburned, you damage your skin cells and increase your risk of developing skin cancer. If you had one or more severe, blistering sunburns as a child or teenager, you have an increased risk of skin cancer as an adult. Sunburns in adulthood also are a risk factor.
Excessive sun exposure. Anyone who spends considerable time in the sun may develop skin cancer, especially if your skin isn't protected by sunscreen or clothing. Tanning also puts you at risk. A tan is your skin's injury response to excessive UV radiation.
Sunny or high-altitude climates. People who live in sunny, warm climates are exposed to more sunlight than are people who live in colder climates. Living at higher elevations, where the sunlight is strongest, also exposes you to more radiation.
Moles. People who have many moles or abnormal moles called dysplastic nevi are at increased risk of skin cancer. These abnormal moles — which look irregular and are generally larger than normal moles — are more likely than others to become cancerous. If you have a history of abnormal moles, watch them regularly for changes.
Precancerous skin lesions. Having skin lesions known as actinic keratoses can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. These precancerous skin growths typically appear as rough, scaly patches that range in color from brown to dark pink. They're most common on the face, lower arms and hands of fair-skinned people whose skin has been sun damaged.
A family history of skin cancer. If one of your parents or a sibling has had skin cancer, you may be at increased risk of the disease. Some families are affected by a condition called familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome. The hallmarks of FAMMM include a history of melanoma in one or more close relatives and having more than 50 moles — some of which are atypical. Because people with this syndrome have an extremely high risk of developing melanoma, frequent screening for signs of skin cancer is crucial.
A personal history of skin cancer. If you developed skin cancer once, you're at risk of developing it again. Even basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas that have been successfully removed can recur in the same spot, often within two to three years.
A weakened immune system. People with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing skin cancer. This includes people living with HIV/AIDS or leukemia and those taking immunosuppressant drugs after an organ transplant.
Fragile skin. Skin that has been burned, injured or weakened by treatments for other skin conditions is more susceptible to sun damage and skin cancer. Certain psoriasis treatments and eczema creams might increase your risk of skin cancer.
Exposure to environmental hazards. Exposure to environmental chemicals, including some herbicides, increases your risk of skin cancer.
Age. The risk of developing skin cancer increases with age, primarily because many skin cancers develop slowly. The damage that occurs during childhood or adolescence may not become apparent until middle age. Still, skin cancer isn't limited to older people. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are increasing fastest among women younger than 40.
Fair skin. Having less pigment (melanin) in your skin provides less protection from damaging UV radiation. If you have blond or red hair, light-colored eyes, and you freckle or sunburn easily, you're much more likely to develop skin cancer than a person with darker features is.
A history of sunburns. A sunburn is your body's attempt to heal itself from the sun's damaging rays. Every time you get sunburned, you damage your skin cells and increase your risk of developing skin cancer. If you had one or more severe, blistering sunburns as a child or teenager, you have an increased risk of skin cancer as an adult. Sunburns in adulthood also are a risk factor.
Excessive sun exposure. Anyone who spends considerable time in the sun may develop skin cancer, especially if your skin isn't protected by sunscreen or clothing. Tanning also puts you at risk. A tan is your skin's injury response to excessive UV radiation.
Sunny or high-altitude climates. People who live in sunny, warm climates are exposed to more sunlight than are people who live in colder climates. Living at higher elevations, where the sunlight is strongest, also exposes you to more radiation.
Moles. People who have many moles or abnormal moles called dysplastic nevi are at increased risk of skin cancer. These abnormal moles — which look irregular and are generally larger than normal moles — are more likely than others to become cancerous. If you have a history of abnormal moles, watch them regularly for changes.
Precancerous skin lesions. Having skin lesions known as actinic keratoses can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. These precancerous skin growths typically appear as rough, scaly patches that range in color from brown to dark pink. They're most common on the face, lower arms and hands of fair-skinned people whose skin has been sun damaged.
A family history of skin cancer. If one of your parents or a sibling has had skin cancer, you may be at increased risk of the disease. Some families are affected by a condition called familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome. The hallmarks of FAMMM include a history of melanoma in one or more close relatives and having more than 50 moles — some of which are atypical. Because people with this syndrome have an extremely high risk of developing melanoma, frequent screening for signs of skin cancer is crucial.
A personal history of skin cancer. If you developed skin cancer once, you're at risk of developing it again. Even basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas that have been successfully removed can recur in the same spot, often within two to three years.
A weakened immune system. People with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing skin cancer. This includes people living with HIV/AIDS or leukemia and those taking immunosuppressant drugs after an organ transplant.
Fragile skin. Skin that has been burned, injured or weakened by treatments for other skin conditions is more susceptible to sun damage and skin cancer. Certain psoriasis treatments and eczema creams might increase your risk of skin cancer.
Exposure to environmental hazards. Exposure to environmental chemicals, including some herbicides, increases your risk of skin cancer.
Age. The risk of developing skin cancer increases with age, primarily because many skin cancers develop slowly. The damage that occurs during childhood or adolescence may not become apparent until middle age. Still, skin cancer isn't limited to older people. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are increasing fastest among women younger than 40.
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