Various Skin Cancers and their Signs and Symptoms

Whenever we hear the term ‘cancer’, we find ourselves in a very uncomfortable state. The c-word is enough to instigate enough terror in our minds and hearts. The cancer epidemic is taking over the world and calls for extra health consciousness on our behalf.

Skin Cancer

The growth of abnormal skin cells results in skin cancer. In most cases, cancer develops in the skin areas which are exposed to sunlight including the scalp, lips, ears, neck, arms, hands and legs. However, areas like palms, genital area, and areas beneath the fingernails can also develop skin cancer. People of any skin tone or age group can get skin cancer. The three basic types of skin cancer are:

1. Basal cell carcinoma
2. Squamous cell carcinoma
3. Melanoma

Warning signs and symptoms of skin cancer

1. Basal cell carcinoma

This type of skin cancer mostly develops on the skin areas which are exposed to sunlight including the neck and face. The major skin care signs and symptoms of basal cell carcinoma are:

• A bump appears on the skin which may be waxy or pearly in texture
• Lesions developing on the skin which are mostly flesh-coloured
• A bleeding sore that doesn’t heal and comes back again

2. Squamous cell carcinoma

This type of cancer also develops in areas which are exposed to the sun. Another important point to note with regards to squamous cell carcinoma is that it affects people with a darker skin tone in areas which do not evidently get sun exposure. The major signs and symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma are:

• Red-coloured solid nodules appear on the skin
• A lesion which has a flat structure and scaly texture

Treatment for both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is available.

3. Melanoma

Melanoma skin cancer is malignant and can affect any part of the body. However, with early diagnosis, treatment like skin cancer surgery for melanoma is possible. It starts developing in skin cells melanocytes and later spreads to the whole body. The signs and symptoms of Melanoma include:

• Brownish spots appear on any part of the skin. They are mostly speckled. These speckles are darker in colour.
• A mole that’s not permanent. It either changes its shape, colour, or size. In a lot of cases, it bleeds too.
• A lesion that has an irregular boundary and mostly appears in varied colours like red, pink, blue etc. It generally has a small size. Sometimes, lesions that pain or itch also contribute to melanoma.

If you think you have developed any of the aforementioned skin cancer symptoms, you must seek immediate treatment at one of the best skin cancer hospital in Hyderabad or elsewhere in India.