Skin cancer, the abnormal development of skin cells is most often observed on sun-exposed skin. But this widespread type of cancer may also occur in areas of the skin that are not usually exposed to sunlight. Skin cancer is of three main types that are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by restricting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Checking the skin for unusual changes will help diagnose early signs of skin cancer. Early diagnosis of skin cancer gives you the best chance of successful treatment for skin cancer.

 

Symptoms

Skin cancer occurs mainly in areas of sun-exposed skin, including head, face, mouth, ears, throat, chest, arms and hands, and in women's legs. Although it may also manifest in regions that barely see the light of day such as your palms, under your fingernails or toenails, and your genital region.

 

Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms

Basal cell carcinoma typically develops in sun-exposed regions of the body, such as the neck or your ears. Basal cell carcinoma may show following symptoms:

• Pearly or waxy bumps
• Flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
• Bleeding or scabbing pain that heals and recovers

Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms

Most commonly, squamous cell carcinoma develops in sun-exposed regions of the body, such as the skin, head, and hands. People with darker skin are more likely to get affected by squamous cell carcinoma in areas that are not always subjected to sunlight.

Squamous cell carcinoma may occur as follows:

• A red, firm nodule
• A flat lesion with a scaly, crusty base

Melanoma signs and symptoms

Melanoma can grow anywhere in the body, in the otherwise normal skin, or in an already formed mole that becomes cancerous. Melanoma is most often seen in the faces or trunks of infected men. In women, this form of cancer most commonly appears in the lower legs. Melanoma can develop in both men and women on the skin that has not been exposed to the light.

• A big brown spot with darker marks
• A mole that changes in shape, color, or feel, or bleeds
• An aching lesion that itches or burns

 

Causes

Skin cancer begins in the primary layer of the skin — the epidermis. The epidermis is a thin membrane that covers the skin cells that the body keeps on shedding.

Most of the damage to DNA in skin cells is caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation present in sunlight and in the lights used in tanning beds. Yet exposure to sunlight does not clarify skin cancers that grow on the skin that are not typically exposed to sunlight. This suggests that other factors may lead to your risk of skin cancer, such as exposure to toxic substances or a disease that weakens your immune system.

 

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441949/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5289116/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26612377/

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