There are different types of skin cancer, with very different prognoses . The main risk factor is ultraviolet radiation in all its forms, natural (sun) and artificial (cabins). There are two types of sun damage to the skin: acute (sporadic burns in summer, typical of young people) and chronic (sun exposure throughout life, typical of older people). The first type of sun damage is the main risk factor for melanoma, while the second is the main risk factor for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It should be borne in mind that, in order to suffer from skin cancer, it is not strictly necessary to have the habit of sunbathing on the beach: the chronic accumulation of solar radiation from the outside is sufficient. Of course, to this radiation typical of the Mediterranean climate must be added that associated with active sunbathing. For these reasons it is essential to protect yourself from the sun, not only on the beach, but in the usual rhythm of life.
By frequency, the most common skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. It usually manifests as a translucent, slightly hyperpigmented papule – a small protuberance – with a tendency to increase in size. It is not uncommon for blood to occasionally. It is usually located in areas of chronic sun exposure such as the face, décolleté and upper back. Although it is more common in elderly patients, it is worth noting the increase in incidence that has occurred in young patients in recent years. Early diagnosis of this type of cancer allows it to be eliminated definitively by excision in most cases. Basal cell carcinoma does not have a tendency to spread to other organs and usually only consists of a local problem. However, its growth rate can be accelerated and constitute a therapeutic challenge due to the difficulty of reconstructing the area in which it settled once removed.
Squamous cell carcinoma manifests itself in different ways, the most constant sign being the persistence of a skin lesion that tends to grow forming a scab that is periodically renewed. This type of skin cancer is common in the facial area, the pinna, the lower lip, the backs of the hands and the décolleté. Its main risk factor is chronic sun damage. Squamous cell carcinoma has the potential to spread to other tissues at a distance (metastasis) and, occasionally, it can be fatal. Most of the time, however, early removal of the lesion with safety margins is usually sufficient for its removal.
Melanoma is a skin cancer derived from melanocytes, the cells that give skin its colour. They usually appear on healthy skin, although it is possible for a mole to become melanoma. It is a cancer with a high incidence in young people, and in recent years there has been a clear increase in its frequency. The main risk factor is a history of intermittent sunburn in childhood and youth. Melanoma is an aggressive tumour, with a tendency to spread to distant organs and with a notable mortality depending on the stage of the disease. Because of this, it is essential to make an early diagnosis of this lesion and proceed to its immediate removal with safety margins.
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Bibliographic references
Kwasniak LA, Garcia-Zuazaga J. Basal cell carcinoma: evidence-based medicine and review of treatment modalities. Int J Dermatol. 2011 Jun; 50(6):645-58.
Macbeth AE, Grindlay DJ, Williams HC. What’s new in skin cancer? An analysis of guidelines Clin Exp Dermatol. 2011 Jul; 36(5):453-8.
Bichakjian CK, Halpern AC, Johnson TM, Foote Hood A, Grichnik JM, Swetter SM, Tsao H, Barbosa VH, Chuang TY, Duvic M, Ho VC, Sober AJ, Beutner KR, Bhushan R, Smith Begolka W; American Academy of Dermatology. Guidelines of care for the management of primary cutaneous melanoma. American Academy of Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 Nov; 65(5):1032-47.