How to recognize the skin cancer basal cell carcinoma

When we think of skin cancer we may not always realize that there are 3 different types of skin cancer. What most people think of as skin cancer is in fact malignant melanoma where the moles on your skin changes.

Basal cell carcinoma or also called a rodent ulcer, is probably one of the most common types of all types of skin cancer. It appears in the basal cell layer strangely enough and it is the inner most layer of the outer skin (the epidermis if you care to know). Basal cell carcinoma skin cancer is a slow growing form of cancer and it looks like a raised edged swelling with a dimple in the center and you can often see small blood vessels under the skin.

This type of skin cancer appears mainly in the areas most exposed to sun light, like the nose and around the eyes. It hardly ever spreads around the body although if it is ignored it is possible. The main consequence of a neglected “bcc” or rodent ulcer is that it can cause a lot of tissue damage as it burrows deep into the tissues, hence why it has been called rodent ulcer.

As stated, Basal cell cancer is the most common type of skin cancer to affect people. Like all skin cancers it mainly affects people with pale or fair Caucasian skin. It is also likely or probable that new patients who develop this form of skin cancer have a family history of rodent ulcer or BCC. It has been found that sunlight is a huge factor in about two thirds of these types of cancer; however the remaining third usually occurs in non sun-exposed areas. This is why dermatologists are so insistent about people wearing sun screens and getting annual skin cancer exams to prevent or provide early detection of this common tumor. (Especially in those countries which are very hot).

If you have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma then it is most likely that it will be treated by a surgeon operating on you to remove the tumor. Usually they will perform a routine that effectively just scrapes out the tumor and then leave the wound to heal itself. This treatment of rodent ulcers as it is also known has an excellent cure rate and the cosmetic results are equally impressive with very little scarring, and made even more attractive as it is a very cost effective procedure, which is important to your health care provider no doubt.

If you get skin cancer then this type of skin cancer is by far the easiest one to cope with as it only really grows locally and with detection happening early enough the cosmetic consequences are minimal. The cancer never stops growing however until it is removed completely so if it is in a place where it can impinge on vital structures and cause them to stop working it is very rarely deadly.

Proper care and consideration for your skin is still essential in order to avoid the cancer in the first place so common anti skin cancer advice still applies like use sunscreen, cover up exposed ares during the mid day sun and stay out of the sun when ever possible. It is especially important for children and babies to stay out of direct sunlight as they have thinner skin.

Even during winter it is important if you live in a snowy area as snow doubles your exposure to UV rays.

Basic information about skin cancer

Skin cancer is defined as ‘a malignant neoplasm of the skin’. The most common cancer, the risk of skin cancer affects a large cross section of the population, most notably those that have fair skin and freckles. Consequently, it is also relatively preventable when you take the proper precautions. Simply put, skin cancer is often caused by an over-exposure of the body to ultra-violet rays. It doesn’t matter where these rays come from; both the sun and commercial tanning beds give you a heightened risk of developing skin cancer. To most easily prevent your chance of getting this disease, it’s important to take the proper precautions when exposing yourself to the sun. When possible, wear clothing that is tightly woven to avoid the suns rays. A loose fit on your clothes is another way to ensure that as few rays as possible reach your skin. Dark colored clothing is also known to help ward off ultra-violet rays, so all of these precautions should be taken when you are planning to be in the sun for an extended period of time. Also, it is crucial to wear sun screen when exposing your body to the sun’s rays. An SPF value of at least 15 is recommended for those who wish to sun themselves without significantly increasing their risk of developing skin cancer. Also, do your best to avoid exposing yourself to the sun’s rays between 10 AM and 3 PM. These are the hours of the day in which the sun produces the most UV rays, and avoiding sun during these hours is recommended to decrease your likelihood of skin cancer. Your lips should also be protected with an SPF lip balm, since the risk of lip cancer is increased by too much sun exposure. Sunglasses can also be a good idea; they help you to avoid getting too much exposure to the sun on your eyelids, which are sensitive layers of skin which can develop skin cancer just the same as the rest of your body.
There are three types of skin cancer: the two that are most harmless are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. When these cancers are discovered, it is usually possible to treat them without much of a risk, with a full 90% of all carcinomas diagnoses being treated properly. However, there is another, more deadly type of skin cancer, which is known as malignant melanoma. This type of skin cancer can spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs and the liver, and can be very difficult to treat. While this cancer can be removed with a high success rate when caught early, advanced cases of melanoma can be very difficult to treat. Melanoma accounts for a full 75% of all skin cancer cases which result in death. If melanoma is diagnosed while in an early stage, treatment can be very simple and the risk of death is low. However, the longer you wait, the more exponential the risk of death grows.

Tanning Dangers Can it Cause Skin Cancer?

It is time to decide how much that tan means really to you. No longer can you look away from the ever increasing evidence that sunbathing can lead to skin cancer. The ultraviolet light from the shining sun damages your skin. It can cause premature wrinkling, skin cancer and other troublesome skin disorders. A tan, something people not only spend hours outside trying to achieve but will pay for tanning time at salons, is actually the body’s way of protecting itself from the sun by laying down a coating of darker skin. Those who burn do not have this advantage.

For any of you who feel that tanning salons are safer, don’t believe it. They use the same ultraviolet light harnessed into their tanning booths or tanning beds. Although there are two types of ultraviolet light, UVA and UVB, don’t believe the advertising that says only harmless UVA light is used. UVA is just as dangerous to the health of your skin; it just takes longer to do the same damage. An average session at a tanning salon of fifteen to thirty minutes is like spending the entire day lying in the sun.

Those who are fairest skinned, having blond or especially red hair, with light colored eyes, blue or grey, are more likely to develop skin problems, and potentially skin cancer than those who are less pale, darker haired and have darker eye color. It’s a fact that natural hair color seems to be a big factor in potential skin cancer probability. Woman with red hair are four times as likely to contract skin cancer and blonds have two times the risk as their darker haired counterparts. Research has shown that women who use tanning salons as little as once monthly still have a fifty five percent chance of developing skin cancer as opposed to women who have never used artificial means to tan. More startling was the report that if you used these artificial means when younger, in your twenties, the chances of developing skin cancer increased to one hundred and fifty percent.

What about men? We know that many women tan because they feel it makes them look more attract to their men. Do men do the same foolishness to their skin? No, they don’t. Far fewer men use artificial means to tan. But, the case of skin cancer among men is on the rise having increased by over twelve percent in the last six years. This is likely due to the sports that men play outside where they are either shirtless or wearing no more than a tank top. Research shows that eighty percent of diagnosed skin cancers cases in men can be traced to the amount of sun contact.

To help diminish your risk of skin cancer, simply follow some easy steps to protecting your precious skin. Always use a sunscreen when outside for long periods of time. Make sure it has a rating of no less then SPF 15, though higher is better.

The Role of Plastic Surgeons in Skin Cancer Treatment

Each year, over half a million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer, making this the most common type of cancer. The statistics are astounding, and the numbers continue to grow. Although most people don’t think about plastic surgery in conjunction with skin cancer, the reality is that many skin cancer patients are diagnosed and treated by plastic surgeons. Understanding the special role that a plastic surgeon has in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer can make your own journey to recovery easier.

Although we tend to associate the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer with dermatologists, in reality many plastic surgeons are the first medical professions to diagnose skin cancer. Their primary physician may refer a patient who notices a suspicious growth or change in his or her skin to a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Plastic surgeons are particularly adept at diagnosing skin cancer. So if your primary physician refers you to a plastic surgeon rather than a dermatologist, chances are that you are in good hands. Many times, a plastic surgeon will work in conjunction with several other medical professionals in order to treat a patient successfully. If you suspect you have some form of skin cancer and find yourself being referred to a plastic surgeon, chances are that your plastic surgeon will be working in conjunction with specialists such as dermatologists, oncologists, and radiologists.

If your plastic surgeon finds that you do have skin cancer, you will likely face surgery to remove the cancerous growth. Like all surgical procedures, this type of surgery has its risks. But these are small, and if you follow all of your doctor’s directions, complications can be avoided. Discuss all of your concerns with your plastic surgeon before surgery. Make sure you understand all the potential risks, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Your plastic surgeon will decide how the skin cancer will be removed depending on its size. Small cancers can be removed in your doctor’s office, most of the time requiring the use of only local anesthesia. In more advanced cases, your plastic surgeon may offer you several options. These may range from radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or extensive surgery. The recovery time after surgery will depend on your individual circumstances. Make sure to follow all of your doctor’s orders in order to secure a speedy recovery.

After the initial phase of diagnosis and treatment, many skin cancer patients seek the advice of plastic surgeons to discuss reconstruction. The removal of skin cancer growths may save your life, but it may also leave you with a less than perfect cosmetic appearance. Some results of skin cancer treatment include small scars to dramatic changes in facial structure. Depending on each individual basis, reconstruction surgery exists as an option to help restore a patient’s original facial structure, or to improve the appearance of scars. Many plastic surgeons have perfected surgical techniques that allow them to repair damaged tissues and to revise unsightly scars.

Finding a good plastic surgeon is difficult, but certainly not impossible. Begin by getting a referral from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Treating Skin Cancer with Photodynamic Therapy
When it comes to cancer treatments one thing you can say is that there are always new things being tried. Researchers are finding and developing new methods to try to combat this very serious disease. With skin cancer it’s no different. There are many treatments to choose from and not all of them are the standard surgical removal followed by radiation or chemotherapies. One of these treatments is called Photodynamic therapy, PDT.
This procedure is done as an outpatient, which means the patient does not have to be admitted into a hospital to have this done. The patient is injected with a drug that is light activated. This drug goes after the cancer cells. Between twenty-four and forty eight hours later the patient returns for the second part of the treatment. In this session a laser light in shone on the tumor cells. This directs a particular range of non-thermal red light into the skin cancer cells. This activates the drug and allows it to do the job it was injected for; fight the cancer cells. It fights them without touching the healthy cells. This treatment is also preformed with a cream instead of being injected. The patient has the photodynamic therapy several hours later.
This method is easier on the patient then many others, has very few side effects and good results. There can be a little general body swelling. As well, for a month after the treatment the patient’s eyes and skin will be extra sensitive to sunlight. They must also be careful for the same period of time when outside in sunlight. That means wearing sunscreen, covering up with long sleeves, a hat and sunglasses.
The benefits to this therapy are several. First it requires only a minimal number of treatments. No more than three are necessary. The photodynamic therapy will treat the whole area and so there is little chance of missing any of the cancerous cells that it is trying to kill. There is very little if any scarring when the treatment is completed. Another benefit of this treatment is its relatively low cost.
It is so successful that many doctors feel that over time it will become available in the dermatologist’s offices instead of as an outpatient through hospitals or cancer clinics. Some doctors smile when they tell you of the results, claiming that when doing follow-up visits they need to get photographs from their files to show them where the skin cancer was because they are unable to tell otherwise.
PDT has only recently been available to the public, but with tremendous success. It was as recently as the middle 1990s that they were still getting approvals for the drugs used. But now that this has all passed and the treatment of skin cancer is meeting with an almost overwhelming success rate this therapy is being tried on other types of cancers and having similar success rates. Gastrointestinal cancer, as well as pancreatic cancer, is showing positive results with more success to come.