CANCER - SKIN
Definition
Skin cancers are the most common form of cancer. They are most frequently associated with sun exposure: other causes include X-ray or radium burns and arsenic ingestion. Most skin cancers are curable, but some progress rapidly and are fatal. Types of skin cancer include the following:
- Basal cell carcinoma: the most common skin cancer (about 75% of all skin cancers). A superficial eroding ulcer, deriving from and resembling epidermal basal cells.
- Squamous cell carcinoma:
- second most common type (about 20% of all skin cancers). Arise from keratinocytes of the epithelium. May develop in normal tissue or pre-existing actinic keratosis, leukoplakia, or burn scar.
- Malignant melanoma:
- a neoplasm developing from pigmented moles or melanocytes in normal skin. May spread rapidly; dangerous if not promptly detected and treated.
- Paget's disease:
- a rare type. Generally appears as unilateral dermatitis of the nipple, representing extension of underlying mammary duct carcinoma. May also appear in groin or perianal area, where it is thought to arise from apocrine glands.
- Kaposi's sarcoma (KS):
- multicentric vascular neoplasm caused by human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8). Aggressive AIDS-related form now endemic, seen in about one-third of AIDS cases. Previous to the AIDS epidemic, KS was most commonly seen in its indolent form in elderly men of Italian or Jewish ancestry.
Symptoms & Signs
One or more lesions manifesting:
- Failure to resolve
- Enlargement
- Irregular or notched borders
- Shiny or crusted surface
- Change in colour or variegated colours
- Bleeding
Aetiology / Risk Factors
- Skin pigmentation: Light-skinned people are most susceptible.
- Outdoor activities: Skin cancer is more common in outdoor workers, outdoor recreational enthusiasts, sunbathers, etc.
- History of acute sunburn
- Family history
- Large congenital melanocytic nevus
- Actinic keratosis
- HIV – for KS specifically