What Skin Cancer Looks Like – Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma, Basalioma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Skin cancer classification

Skin cancer is a type of disease, the external manifestations of which can be seen in the early stages. Therefore, it is important to regularly examine the skin for suspicious changes and be able to notice signs of suspicious formations.

Skin cancer includes several varieties, among which the most common are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. All of them differ in their origin, symptoms and prognosis.

• Melanoma – a malignant tumor originating from melanocytes (pigment cells) of the skin. Melanoma is considered the most dangerous and aggressive form of cancer; it is diagnosed in only 2-10% of cases of all cancers. Melanoma is characterized by the rapid formation of metastases that affect other organs of the body through the blood and lymph.
• Basalioma (basal cell skin cancer) – the most common type of skin cancer (diagnosed in 70% of cases), developing in the cells of the epidermis. It mostly occurs in people over 60 years of age. This form of the disease develops slowly and is less prone to the appearance of metastases, therefore, it has the most favorable treatment prognosis. However, it quickly destroys surrounding tissues and often relapses.
• Squamous cell carcinoma – this species occurs in 11-25% of cases and can metastasize to adjacent tissues if timely treatment is not undertaken. The prognosis of treatment depends on the stage at which the disease was diagnosed: in the early stages, the effectiveness of therapy and the possibility of remission reaches 90%.

melanoma symptoms

Melanoma can occur both on unchanged skin and from a dysplastic nevus – a flat or slightly raised mole with jagged edges, painted in brown or black tones. More often it occurs on unchanged skin (in about 80% of cases). Unlike melanoma, a regular pigmented spot or mole has a regular round or oval shape. The color of the neoplasm may change, be uneven or very dark. The disease is accompanied by wetting of the affected area of ​​the skin, severe itching, burning, irritation, but this is more typical for melanoma in the vertical growth phase. Melanoma ulcers are quite common. Against the background of external manifestations of the disease, enlarged lymph nodes are also noted.

Risk factors for the onset of the disease include: genetic predisposition, prolonged exposure to the sun without protection and sunburn, frequent trips to the solarium, an abundance of dark convex moles on the body, age 50+ years.

Signs of basalioma

Basal cell skin cancer appears as a small pink or bodily lump on the skin with a translucent network of blood vessels inside. A neoplasm appears due to prolonged insolation and frequent sunburn. At the initial stage, skin lesions do not exceed 2 mm. As malignant cells increase in size and grow, the tumor may bleed and ulcerate. The skin in the affected area may change color or look like a pink spot, often covered with a crust. Mostly basalioma affects the skin on the face, less often – other parts of the body. It is localized on the nose, on the upper lip, temples, eyebrows, as well as on the neck and ears.

What does squamous cell skin cancer look like?

Squamous cell carcinoma has several clinical variants:

• The superficial type manifests itself in the form of a small seal on the skin, which does not cause much discomfort. Against the background of tumor growth, ulceration and bleeding may appear. This form of skin cancer develops rather slowly and is less aggressive.
• The infiltrating type, unlike the superficial one, develops rapidly and is prone to the appearance of metastases. Clinically manifested as deep weeping ulcers with thickening and jagged edges, which may be accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
• The papillary type manifests itself in the form of a mushroom or cauliflower and looks like a weighty seal on a thin stem base. The skin in the affected area is easily injured, may bleed.

Squamous cell skin cancer is localized in open areas of the body, more susceptible to the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation. Such neoplasms are found mainly on the face (in the area of ​​the lips and skin around the eyes), in the ear area, in places of scars, in the genital area and on the mucous membranes. The disease develops quickly, gives metastases not only at the last stage.

Diagnosis: how to determine skin cancer

Self-examination of the skin for the presence of suspicious neoplasms is the most common way to diagnose the disease in the early stages. If you have the alarming symptoms described above, immediately consult a dermatologist for further medical research. Only at a face-to-face appointment, a dermatologist will be able to make an accurate diagnosis.

The success of therapy depends on timely diagnosis of the disease. It is known that at stage 0, oncology affects the upper layers of the skin, so timely treatment allows you to completely recover from the disease. The higher the stage of cancer and the deeper layers of the epidermis are affected, the less likely it is to achieve remission.

To independently diagnose a malignant skin change, pay attention to all new and existing moles and birthmarks. If they began to increase in size, acquire an asymmetric shape, their edges became uneven, their color changed, ulcerations appeared – contact a specialist for advice.

If the formation seems suspicious to the doctor, he will conduct additional diagnostic methods. For this, various research methods are used, for example:

• Dermatoscopy is an examination of skin formations under magnification at a face-to-face appointment using a special device – a dermatoscope.
• Biopsy and histology is the most reliable way to diagnose skin cancer through excision and laboratory tissue testing.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) also helps to examine lesions of soft tissues and organs in various planes, which allows you to quickly identify the pathology.

Important (!): even if you find suspicious neoplasms, in no case do not self-medicate, but be sure to make an appointment with a professional. If the doctor confirms the diagnosis, appropriate therapy will be prescribed, which is carried out in a hospital using specialized equipment and pharmaceuticals.

The role of sunscreen in skin cancer prevention

The main cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Skin cancer occurs predominantly on exposed parts of the body that are more susceptible to the influence of external aggressive factors: on the face, back, shoulders, arms, legs. Properly selected sunscreen will not only help protect the skin from sunburn, but also prevent the development of cancer.

The effect of ultraviolet radiation on the skin

The sun’s rays create the conditions for the formation of free radicals in the skin, which trigger the processes of oxidative stress of the skin (a condition in which there are too many free radicals in the cells). It is he who provokes a change in the cellular structure of the skin and the occurrence of malignant neoplasms. There are two types of ultraviolet rays that have a negative effect on human skin – UVА- и UVB rays:

• UVA rays make up 95% of all ultraviolet radiation, penetrate clouds and glasses all year round, contributing to the synthesis of free radicals. They damage skin cells, start the process of destruction of collagen and elastin, provoke malignant changes and contribute to photoaging.
• UVB rays make up 5% of all ultraviolet radiation: most of them are blocked by clouds and glass. These rays penetrate the epidermis, can cause sunburn, provoke an allergic reaction or the development of cancer cells.

Sunscreen filters based on sunscreens can reflect up to 99% of ultraviolet rays, prevent their penetration into the very depths of the dermis and prevent cell damage and activation of unwanted biochemical processes in them.

How to protect your skin from UV rays

• Sunscreen can help prevent the harmful effects of UV rays on the skin. When choosing a sunscreen, focus on its SPF. (Sun Protection Factor: The higher the Sun Protection Factor, the more effective the protection. For example, SPF 10 blocks less than 90% of UVB rays, SPF 30 – 97%, SPF 50 (+) – 98%.
• Avoid direct sunlight during the peak of their activity (from 11:00 am to 16:00 pm).
• Clothing made from natural light fabrics will additionally protect the skin from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation, while allowing it to breathe and self-cool in hot weather. Also don’t forget your hat and sunglasses.
• Renew a layer of sunscreen every 2-3 hours and after every swim.
• Children under 3 years of age are not recommended to be in direct sunlight due to the incompletely formed epidermis and its protective functions.
• Before each exit to the street, protect exposed parts of the body from the sun: arms, legs, forehead, nose, shoulders, parting on the head, ears.

La Roche-Posay Effective UV Skin Protection Products

Anthelios Invisible Face Fluid SPF 50+ suitable for very sensitive and allergy-prone skin, can be used for application to the area around the eyes and as a base for make-up. It has a light texture, absorbs quickly, leaves no residue on the skin and reliably protects from the sun. Apply to the face and around the eyes (may be applied to the moving eyelid) just before sun exposure.

Anthelios Mattifying Veil Spray SPF 50 in spray format suitable for oily, normal and even sensitive skin. The tool not only protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation, but also helps to reduce oily sheen during the day, as well as moisturize the skin for 24 hours, preventing its dehydration. Can be used as a base and over makeup, 2 hours before sun exposure.

Sun protection invisible spray for face and body Anthelios Dermo—Pediatrics SPF 50+ suitable for the delicate, sensitive skin of children from 3 years. It has a light texture, creates an invisible protective coating on the surface of the skin, which reliably protects against UVA / UVB rays.

UV – UV

UVA – UV rays type A

UVB – UV rays type B

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) – type B UV protection factor (sun protection factor)

PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) – type A UV protection factor

Anthelios — Antgelios