Skin cancer? types and treatment options for skin cancer?

What is skin cancer? signs and its symptoms- what are the treatment options currently available to treat skin cancer?

Skin cancer is malignant neoplasms (abnormal tissue growths) of the skin & are the most common form of cancer. The major cause of skin cancer is overexposure to sunlight. All skin cancers occur predominantly in exposed skin, mostly on the face, the backs of the hands, & the upper rim of the ear. Melanoma, is the most serious skin cancer. There are two other types. Basal cell carcinoma (abbreviated BCC & often called Rodent ulcer) usually begins as a small, raised, shiney nodule that grows slowly, usually becoming ulcerated & crusted with a raised, pearly border. Without treatment the cancer can extend through skin to destroy underlying muscle & bone.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) often develops in the persistent scaly patches known as sun spots or solar keratoses, which enlarge & become raised or warty before eventually ulcerating. This kind of cancer cell invades underlying tissues, & SCC is more likely than BCC to spread to other parts of the body. Diagnosis of BCC & SCC is by biopsy, & treatment is by cautery (heat), cryotherapy (freezing), surgical excision or, occasionally, radiotherapy.
Malignant melanoma most often develops on exposed skin, but can occur anywhere on the body surface including under nails or in the eye. The cancer may arise in an existing mole, which may outline, bleed, itch or form a scab. Half of all melanomas begin in normal skin. Any change in a mole or the appearance of a new, rapidly growing pigmented spot must be reported to your doctor without delay, as early diagnosis & treatment are essential to prevent the melanoma from spreading to lymph glands & other organs. Diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy, & treatment consists of removing the melanoma surgically. If it has spread, anti-cancer drugs may be needed. The cure rate for malignant melanomas that have not spread beyond the surface of the skin is close to 100%. Vaccines to combat the cancer are being studied.
Regards, Starlet..

Skin cancer, which is an increasingly common condition, is easily detectable in the early stages, as the tumor (the malignant growth on the skin), is usually clearly visible. Hence, it is essential for us to know about the types of skin cancer and how to detect it early, so that medical help can be sought at the earliest, before the cancer spreads to other parts of the body.

Being the fastest growing type of cancer in the developed world, it is more important for us to be aware of skin cancer, in order to reduce the risk of developing it.

Know the treatment options that are currently available here...
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