There are several types of skin cancer and the main ones are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, in addition to other less common types such as Merkel carcinoma and skin sarcomas.
These cancers are caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of different types of cells that make up the layers of the skin and can be divided into different categories, which include:
- Non-melanoma skin cancer: where basal cell, squamous cell or Merkel carcinoma are included, which are generally easier to treat, with great chances of cure;
- Melanoma skin cancer: includes only malignant melanoma, which is the most dangerous type and has the lowest chance of cure, especially if identified at a very advanced stage;
- Skin sarcomas: includes Kaposi’s sarcoma and dermatofibrosarcoma, which can appear in various parts of the body and require specific treatment according to the type.
When a suspicious sign appears on the skin, which changes color, shape or increases in size, you should consult a dermatologist to check for malignancy and what to do in each case.
Check out the following video on how to identify signs of skin cancer:
1. Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the least severe and the most frequent type of non-melanoma cancer, corresponding to more than 95% of cases, and it appears in the basal cells that are located in the deepest layer of the skin, appearing as a bright pink spot on the skin that it grows slowly, may have a crust in the center of the stain and can bleed easily. This type of cancer is more common in people with fair skin, after 40 years, due to sun exposure throughout life.
Where it can appear: it almost always appears in regions with a lot of sun exposure, such as face, neck, ears or scalp, but it can also appear in other parts of the body.
What to do: in case of suspicion, a dermatologist should be consulted to evaluate the skin stain and start the appropriate treatment, which, in these cases, is done with a small surgery or laser application to remove the stain and eliminate all affected cells. . Understand more about this type of cancer and its treatment .
2. Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of non-melanoma skin cancer and appears in squamous cells located in the most superficial layers of the skin. This type of cancer is more common in men, although it can also develop in women of any age, especially in people with light skin, eyes and hair because it has less melanin, which is the skin pigment that protects against ultraviolet radiation.
This type of cancer appears in the form of a reddish lump on the skin or a bruise that peels off and forms a scab, or looks like a mole.
Sun exposure is the main factor that causes squamous cell carcinoma but it can also happen in those who undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments or have chronic skin problems, such as wounds that do not heal. Generally, people who are diagnosed with an actinic keratosis patch, and who do not undergo the treatment indicated by the doctor, also have a high chance of developing this type of skin cancer.
Where it can appear: it can appear anywhere on the body but is more common in regions exposed to the sun, such as scalp, hands, ears, lips or neck, which show signs of sun damage such as loss of elasticity, wrinkling or change in the color of the skin. skin.
What to do: As with other types, it is important to consult the dermatologist to confirm the type of stain and start the treatment, which, in these cases, is initially done with minor surgery or another technique, such as applying cold, to remove most of the altered cells. After that, if necessary, radiotherapy can also be done, for example, to remove the remaining cells.
3. Merkel carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rarer type of non-melanoma cancer and is more common in older people due to prolonged exposure to the sun throughout life or people with weaker immune systems.
This type of cancer usually appears as a painless, skin-colored or bluish-red lump on the face, head or neck and tends to grow and spread quickly to other parts of the body.
Where it can appear: it can appear on the face, head or neck, but it can also develop anywhere on the body, even in areas not exposed to sunlight.
What to do: a dermatologist should be consulted if a spot, freckle or lump appears that changes in size, shape or color, grows quickly or bleeds easily after a minor trauma, such as washing the skin or shaving, for example. The dermatologist must evaluate the skin and start the appropriate treatment, which, in these cases, can be done with surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or chemotherapy.
4. Malignant melanoma
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of cancer of all, and usually appears as a dark speck that will deform over time. It can be fatal if not identified early, as it can develop quickly and reach other organs such as the lung. Here’s how to assess a skin patch to see if it could be melanoma .
Where it can appear: it often develops in regions exposed to the sun such as face, shoulders, scalp or ears, especially in people with very light skin.
What to do: Since this type of cancer has a greater chance of cure when treatment is started at an early stage, it is important that dark spots, which grow over time and have an irregular shape, are quickly evaluated by a dermatologist. In most cases, treatment is started with surgery to remove most of the cells, and after that, it is usually necessary to have radiotherapy or chemotherapy to remove the cells that remain on the skin.
5. Skin sarcomas
Skin sarcomas, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma or dermatofibrosarcoma, are a type of malignant skin cancer that affects the deeper layers of the skin.
Dermatofibrosarcoma can appear spontaneously after some trauma, in a surgical scar or burn, by infection by the herpes virus type 8 (HHV8) or by genetic alterations. It is usually more common in young men, but it can also occur in women, at any age, and appears as a reddish or purple spot on the skin and can resemble a pimple, scar or birthmark, especially in the body trunk. In more advanced stages it can form wounds at the tumor site, bleeding or necrosis of the affected skin.
Kaposi’s sarcoma is more common in people with weakened immune systems, such as people who have had a transplant or who have HIV infection or herpes virus type 8. This type of tumor appears as red-purple spots on the skin and can affect the whole body. Learn more about Kaposi’s sarcoma .
Where it can appear: most common to appear on the trunk, head, neck, legs, arms and in rare cases in the genital region.
What to do: a dermatologist should be consulted if a red spot appears on the skin for a more adequate diagnosis. This type of tumor is aggressive, can spread to other parts of the body and must be treated with surgery, radiation therapy or molecular therapy. In addition, people with HIV infection should undergo frequent medical follow-up and take medication to control the infection.
