Melanoma is the less and the most serious of skin cancers. Melanoma caused death of 75% of all skin cancer cases and rising, yet, every year people who diagnosed with melanoma increased each year, in just United States there are 60,000. Melanoma tumor usually find in the melanocytes, which produces pigment, or melanin.

Malignant Melanoma Prognosis

Melanoma skin cancer is more common in Caucasian populations living in sunny climates than in other groups, or in those who use tanning salons. According to a WHO report about 48,000 melanoma related deaths occur worldwide per year. Melanoma can also found in the anal/rectal region, in the linings of the mouth and vagina, and in the eye. Some are even found in the gut and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Any of these areas can develop melanoma, but much less commonly than the skin. It is quite common, however, for a melanoma starting in the skin to spread (”metastasize”) to the aforientioned areas. The area where a cancer first starts is called the “primary site”, as distinguished from later areas of spread. The “primary site” is usually apparent for most cancers, but not uncommonly it remains “occult” in melanoma– the first sign of disease being distant metastasis. Thus, it is common to first detect metastatic melanoma in the lung, bone or brain, although its occult primary site was probably the skin.

In adulthood, Skin cells divide more slowly to replace cells that have died either from old age or injury. New skin cells arise at the deepest level of the skin, and gradually push their way upwards toward the surface as they mature. The main types of cells found within the skin are basal cells, which form the bottom layer, squamous cells, which push toward the surface to form the skin we see, and melanocytes, which produce melanin pigment that colors the skin. If specific types of gene damage occur in a cell, it can start dividing out of control. When cells divide quickly, they tend to pile up to form a lump, called a “tumor”.

A tumor merely means an abnormal swelling; it can be caused by infection, inflammation, or just about anything and is usually not cancer. A “benign” tumor only grows in its local area (albeit quite large), it cannot spread distantly and is not cancer. In contrast, a “malignant” tumor has the ability to spread to anywhere in the body, and this is cancer. This process of spread is called “metastasis”, and is what makes cancer so dangerous. Ultimately, cancer starts in a single cell and is a disease of its genes. Any type of skin cell can give rise to skin cancer, when their reproduction goes out of control, and they divide in a disorganized way. When basal or squamous cells become cancerous, they are called carcinomas, while when the melanocytes become cancerous, this is called melanoma, which has such a different character that it is a different topic from other skin cancers.

You may interest in article about Mole Removal, Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) skin cancer develops from keratinocytes, flat, scale like skin cells that lie under the top layer of the

squamous cell carcinoma pictures

epidermis. The majority of squamous cell carcinomas occur on sun exposed areas, especially the forehead, temple, ears, neck, and back of the hands. People who have spent considerable time sunbathing may develop them on their lower legs.
Squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer occurs in many different organs, such as mouth, prostate, lung, lips, tongue. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) also called Bowens’ disease, this skin cancer also able to spread away through blood vessels. This skin cancer can break away, leak, or spill from a primary tumor, enter lymphatic and blood vessels, circulate through the bloodstream, and settle down to grow new skin cancer within normal tissues elsewhere in the body, or called Metastasis. Metastasis is one of three hallmarks of malignancy (contrast benign tumors).
This cancer skin patients vary with race, gender, age, genetics and geography. In gender, male have 2:1 ratio compare to females, since most women are love to sunbathe and ignoring the danger of skin cancer. Caucasians are more likely to be affected by skin cancer, especially those with fair Celtic skin, if chronically exposed to UV radiation. Exposure to arsenic in well water or from industrial sources may significantly increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma may be classified into the following types:

• Adenoid squamous cell carcinoma (Pseudoglandular squamous cell carcinoma)
• Clear cell squamous cell carcinoma (Clear cell carcinoma of the skin)
• Spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma
• Signet-ring cell squamous cell carcinoma
• Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma
• Verrucous carcinoma
• Keratoacanthoma

Other article – Squamous Cell

squamous cell cancer

Squamous cell is the part of the skin that become the place one of skin cancer types and the second most common form of non-melanoma cancer that is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Squamous cell epithelium consists of very thin and flattened hexagonal cells which closely fitted like tiles of a floor. The nucleus is oval and lies in the center of the cell. This epithelium is found on the superficial layer of the skin, in the lining of the body cavity, blood vessels, walls of Bowman’s capsule. Cancer that occurs in this cell part aside of squamous cell carcinoma are basal cell carcinoma and other adnexal tumors.

Squamous cell carcinoma will not causing more problems if it diagnosed and treated early. However, if this skin cancer left untreated, squamous cell carcinoma can grow large or spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.

The cause of squamous cell carcinoma is sun exposure; the incidence of this skin cancer is rising every year. Most squamous cell carcinomas result from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or from tanning beds or lamps. The best things to prevent squamous cell carcinoma by avoiding UV light as much as possible. Sunscreen is an important part of a sun-safety program, but by itself doesn’t completely prevent squamous cell carcinoma or other types of skin cancer.

Just in this year, over 1 million people diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in United States. The risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma increases when a person also has one or more of these risk factors:

• Fair skin.
• Blonde or red hair; blue or green eyes.
• History of indoor tanning.
• Diagnosed with actinic keratosis (AKs).
• Family history of skin cancer.
• Weakened immune system (immune-suppression).
• Received radiation therapy.
• History of exposure to coal tar products or arsenic.

The risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma also increases with age because each exposure to harmful UV rays causes more damage to the skin. As this damage accumulates, the risk of developing skin cancer grows.

You may interest in our article about Melanoma

Melanoma is the less and the most serious of skin cancers. It is the main cause of skin cancer related death and has caused 75% death of all skin cancer cases and it still rising every year. In United States there are 60,000 people who diagnosed with melanoma each year.

Malignant Melanoma

Melanoma skin cancer is more common in Caucasian populations living in sunny climates than in other groups, or in those who use tanning salons. According to a WHO report about 48,000 melanoma related deaths occur worldwide per year. Melanoma can also found in the anal/rectal region, in the linings of the mouth and vagina, and in the eye. Some are even found in the gut and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Any of these areas can develop melanoma, but much less commonly than the skin. It is quite common, however, for a melanoma starting in the skin to spread (”metastasize”) to the aforementioned areas. The most common place to first detect melanoma when metastasis are in the lung, bone or brain, although it’s occult primary site was probably the skin.

In adulthood, skin cells divide more slowly to replace cells that have died either from old age or injuries. New skin cells arise at the deepest level of the skin, and gradually push their way upwards toward the surface as they mature. The main types of cells found within the skin are basal cells, which form the bottom layer, squamous cells, which push toward the surface to form the skin we see, and melanocytes, which produce melanin pigment that colors the skin. If specific types of gene damage occur in a cell, it can start dividing out of control. When cells divide quickly, they tend to pile up to form a lump, called a “tumor”. Melanoma tumor usually find in the melanocytes, which produces pigment, or melanin.

In many years of melanoma treatment clinical trials, the effective treatment in treating melanoma is by surgical resection when the primary tumor thickness is greater than 1mm. This is the best time to treating this cancer, if melanoma in advance stage it will be too late.

A tumor merely means an abnormal swelling; it can be caused by infection, inflammation, or just about anything and is usually not cancer. A “benign” tumor only grows in its local area (albeit quite large), it cannot spread distantly and is not cancer. In contrast, a “malignant” tumor has the ability to spread to anywhere in the body, and this is cancer. This process of spread is called “metastasis”, and is what makes cancer so dangerous. Ultimately, cancer starts in a single cell and is a disease of its genes. Any type of skin cell can give rise to skin cancer, when their reproduction goes out of control, and they divide in a disorganized way. When basal or squamous cells become cancerous, they are called carcinomas, while when the melanocytes become cancerous; this is called melanoma, which has such a different character that it is a different topic from other skin cancers.

You may interest in our article about Cancer Skin

Skin Cancer Pictures

Cancer skin, it is one of the most common cancer, since the main cause of this disease is the sun. Every year, people who diagnosed by cancer skin does not decrease, in fact it keep increase for each year. People especially the younger one tends to underestimate it.

Squamous cell carcinoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma are three major type of skin cancer. Among this disease types, basal cell carcinoma is less lethal than others, however it still able to make disfigurement to the skin when it occurs. Melanoma is the most dangerous and lethal skin cancer, people who had it are those who ignoring what the cause of this cancer.

Most of people looking for beautiful tanned skin, and go to the beach every summer to get it, or even using shortcut by using tanning beds. These two kind of things that most teens do is the major cause that contribute melanoma, however, they still ignore it, even they think that getting sunburn is worth to get tanned skin.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the Unites States. Known risk factors for skin cancer include the following:

• Complexion
  Skin cancers are more common in people with light-colored skin, hair, and eyes.
• Genetics
  Having a family history of any skin cancer increases the risk of developing this disease.
• Age
  Non-melanoma skin cancers are more common after age 40.
• Sun exposure and sunburn
  Most skin cancers occur on areas of the skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. This is considered the primary cause of all skin cancers.

Almost 85% of skin cancer, caused by UV radiation from the sun. The majority of these are called basal cell carcinomas. These are usually localized growths caused by excessive cumulative exposure to the sun and do not tend to spread. It mean for the first protection, protect yourself by using a good clothing to protect yourself from skin cancer, or using a sunscreen.

You may interest in our article about – Skin cancer

Skin Cancer Pictures

Skin Cancer can be one of common cancer. Some of these skin cancer type rarely kill it sufferer, but the other skin cancer type will kill it victims. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), so skin cancer is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the Unites States. Known risk factors for skin cancer include the following:

• Complexion
  Skin cancers are more common in people with light-colored skin, hair, and eyes.
• Genetics
  Having a family history of any skin cancer increases the risk of developing this disease.
• Age
  Non-melanoma skin cancers are more common after age 40.
• Sun exposure and sunburn
  Most skin cancers occur on areas of the skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. This is considered the primary cause of all skin cancers.

There are three common and likely types of skin cancer, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises. Unlike many other cancers, including those originating in the lung, pancreas, and stomach, only a small minority of those afflicted will actually die of the disease. Skin cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed cancer, surpassing lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. Melanoma is less common than basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but it is the most serious—for example, in the UK there are 9,500 new cases of melanoma each year, and 2,300 deaths.

Almost 85% of skin cancer, caused by UV radiation from the sun. The majority of these are called basal cell carcinomas. These are usually localized growths caused by excessive cumulative exposure to the sun and do not tend to spread. It mean for the first protection, protect yourself by using a good clothing to protect yourself from skin cancer, or using a sunscreen.

Mole or Nevi (melanocytic nevus to be more precisely) is a normal skin condition, it is neither a disease nor a cancer (in normal state that is). Although, mole is not a disease, sometimes it can be disturbing.

The causes of mole:

• Moles can come from the day you born or appear over time.
• Sun’s exposure
  Mole that caused by sun exposure is need more attention, since it can be the sign of melanoma.
• Heredity
  There are many people who get a dysplastic (atypical) moles, these moles are often associated with a higher risk of melanoma or other type of skin cancer.

There are various reasons behind mole removal. Either reason, mole removal can be done by excision surgery. It’s not the only option for mole removal, the doctor also tried using laser too, but it cannot penetrate deep enough to remove deep moles.

Dermatologist and/or doctor may rather choose using excision surgery method with or without stitches, depend on the depth of the mole and the type of cosmetic outcome desired.

Mole removal risk

The risk mole removal is depending on the type of mole removal method that the patient undergoes. The risks of mole removal include:

• Discomfort feeling after mole removal that can reduced by pain medication
• Scab or redness may occur. However, it usually disappears after one or two weeks.
• Some surgical method side effects vary from infection to anesthetic allergy and nerve damage.
• Uncomfortable scar depending on the mole size. Every removal will lead to scar, this is a thing that most people doesn’t realize. This also things that you should consider before undergo mole removal.

Some side effect can be reducing if you choose a good dermatology specialist that has appropriate skill and experience.

Related article – Melanoma Skin Cancer Prevention

The first simple thing is, reduce the exposure to the sun

Like we know, sun is the main cause of melanoma skin cancer. So avoid go out at the time when sun in brightest state, it would between 11am to 3pm. At this hour, try not to expose you to the sun too much. For people who works at that hour, don’t forget apply sunscreen with SPF at least 15 and/or using close clothing. This cloth is not just a normal cloth; it is sun protective clothing. Its density is different with common cloth. Also whenever you’re outside for extended periods of time, try to find shade if at all possible and as much as possible.

Aware of freckle and sunburn

Many people don’t realize that their freckle and sunburn increase the risk of melanoma. The more you have sunburn and freckle, your risk in getting melanoma also gets higher. Also, the melanoma risk can also increase if you have personal or one of family member of any type of skin cancer, and if you have excessive sun exposure before the age of 10, it would increase the risk or melanoma as well.

Early detection

Some people tend to have a higher risk in melanoma. So, if trying to prevent it, but still got melanoma, early detection is incredibly important. Since when it comes to melanoma skin cancer, you cure chance is depend on how fast you know about melanoma before it is spread (metastasis) to other part of body and the damage can be neutralized.

Examine your whole body in front of your body scale mirror, and try to examine every single part of your body carefully. If you find a strange or suspicious mole, don’t hesitate to check to the doctor. It’s not uncommon for a doctor to skip this and if yours does be sure to remind them to do it because it’s incredibly important.

However, if you have a very high probability in getting melanoma skin cancer, such as; family history of any kind of skin cancer, or spending a lot of time outside when still kids, it suggested you having regular checkup one for every three months.

For you who don’t have melanoma, better keep in mind these several tips. It may useful preventing melanoma as well as helps to reduce your overall risk to this potentially deadly form of skin cancer.

Superficial Spreading Melanoma Cancer – previous

Superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) usually diagnosed when people who got it at age of 50, and it is occur on part of body that often expose to the sun, especially on the backs of males and lower limbs of females.

Superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) can be evolved from a precursor lesion, usually a dysplastic nevus. Superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) also can arise in previously normal skin. A prolonged radial growth phase, where the lesion remains thin, may eventually be followed by a vertical growth phase where the lesion becomes thick and nodular. As the risk of spread varies with the thickness, early SSM is more frequently cured than late nodular melanoma.

The microscopic hallmarks are:

• Large melanocytic cells with nest formation along the dermo-epidermal junction.
• Invasion of the upper epidermis in a pagetoid fashion (discohesive single cell growth).
• The pattern of rete ridges is often effaced.
• Invasion of the dermis by atypical, pleomorphic melanocytes
• Absence of the ‘maturation’ typical of naevus cells
• Mitoses

Superficial spreading melanoma Treatment

Superficial spreading melanoma treatment is usually done by excisional biopsy, wide local excision and possibly sentinels node biopsy. Spread of disease to local lymph nodes or distant sites (typically brain, bone, skin and lung) marks a decidedly poor prognosis.

Main article – Moh’s Surgery as Melanoma Treatment

Mohs surgery can also be used to treating melanoma. However, moh’s surgery has a higher cure rate if treating melanoma in situ. It has been used in the removal of melanoma-in-situ (cure rate 77% to 98% depending on surgeon), and certain types of melanoma (cure rate 52%). Another study of melanoma-in-situ revealed Mohs cure rate of 95% for frozen section Mohs, and 98 to 99% for fixed tissue Mohs method. In situ is a condition that a cancer is still not become cancer yet.

However, mohs surgery is appropriate when:

• The skin cancer is in an area where it is important to preserve healthy tissue for maximum functional and cosmetic result, such as: eyelids, nose, ears, lips, fingers, toes, genitals.
• The skin cancer was treated previously and recurred.
• Scar tissue exists in the area of the cancer.
• The skin cancer is large.
• The edges of the cancer cannot be clearly defined.
• The skin cancer is growing rapidly or uncontrollably.

Main article – Mohs Surgery