SKIN CANCER

One of the most common forms of cancer is skin cancer. The skin is the largest organ of our body. It is classified as an organ because it is made up of a variety of tissues and structures which function together to protect the body and maintain homeostasis. For example there is the epidermis (outer layer), the dermis (the inner layer), there are hair follicles, sweat glands and pigmentation cells (melanocytes), just to describe some of the anatomy. The skin is an active organ and sheds and regenerates cells on a daily basis. It is susceptible to a variety of environmental factors including drying in the winter, and burning and exposure to ultraviolet radiation (the sun) in the summer.

Skin cancer comes in a variety of types, but the three most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The most common type and most easily treatable form of skin cancer is the basal cell cancer. This usually appears in sun exposed areas and is very slow growing. It can appear as a small red area, a scaly region, a nodule or an ulceration. The definitive diagnosis is made by a biopsy and it is effectively treated by surgical excision. Squamous cell cancer is not as common but is more aggressive. It is also influenced by sun exposure, it ulcerates quicker and it also is treated effectively by surgery (although slightly wider margins of normal tissue are generally required when it is excised). The worst skin cancer is melanoma. It is a cancer of the melanocytes, or pigment cells in the skin. It can be identified as an abnormal mole or pigmented lesion and can appear anywhere on the body (including inside the eye). A simple way for patients to check for melanoma is to use the ABCD system. A (asymmetry), B (irregular borders), C (changes in color or irregular colors) and D (diameter greater than 6mm--or greater than the size of a pencil eraser). Melanoma is curable if caught early and is treated surgically. Later stages may require lymph node dissections as well as additional therapy.