Skin cancers have been increasing in recent years due to the deterioration of environmental factors. Skin cancers can be classified as malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.
MELANOMA
Melanoma is a malignant skin cancer that can be life-threatening. It occurs as a result of excessive and uncontrolled proliferation of cells called melanocytes which give color to the skin. Although it is less common than other types of skin cancer, the majority of skin cancer deaths are due to melanoma. Unfortunately, the frequency of melanoma in recent years is increasing. However, the development of early diagnosis and treatment methods is satisfactory and the life expectancy of the patients diagnosed with melanoma is increasing compared to the previous years.
What are the symptoms of melanoma?
Melanoma usually begins as a dark brown or black stain or rump and can grow over time, add pink, blue tints, or turn dark, and may be colorless.
What are the risk factors for melanoma development?
• Light-skinned, color-eyed, yellow or red-haired or freckled: dark-skinned people may be caught in melanoma, but light-skinned people are more risky.
• Sunburn; especially those who have a history of severe sunburn in their childhood or those who have been exposed to the sun during their entire life are at higher risk.
• Previously diagnosed with melanoma
• A family history of melanoma or skin cancer
• Having a large number of bene (more than 50): The more risk I have, the higher the risk of cancer occurring. This risk also increases if there are atypical / dysplastic moles (irregular, color-containing and large-scale moles) within these moles.
• Having very large moles from birth
• To be using the drug that suppresses the immune system for some reason or for treatment purposes.
What are the signs and symptoms of melanoma?
Melanoma can occur anywhere in the skin covering our body. It is most common in women and it is most common in men. It usually begins as a dark brown or black stain or blister. Pink and blue tints can be added to the growing lesions or darkening may be observed. Melanoma may suddenly appear on normal skin (including scalp, skin covering the genitals, mouth and nails) without giving any warning, but may also develop over a pre-existing form. Rarely, melanoma may occur as a pinkish swelling.
How is melanoma diagnosed?
In order to be able to diagnose melanoma, it is essential to remove the suspected spots or moles after the physical examination and to evaluate them in the light of pathological examination. The doctor decides whether a benign benign lesion should be removed or should be closely monitored. Complete or partial removal of Benin does not cause cancer. On the contrary, they have the chance to get an early diagnosis. The widely believed “scalpel / knife is cancer if it is worth / promise is certainly not true.
What is done in the treatment?
The most effective treatment for melanoma is the surgical treatment of melanoma in the early period. If the melanoma is not caught early enough, it is necessary to biopsy the lymph nodes close to the site of the disease because of the risk of metastasis to the other organs starting with the lymphatic system. If the melanoma is thick or has spread to the lymph nodes, the other organs are investigated by means of advanced imaging methods. Treatment options such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or gene-targeted therapies will be discussed in advanced disease. After the treatment, the patients are followed up at regular intervals by physical examination, dermatological examination (follow-up and follow-up if necessary) and ultrasound examination of the lymph nodes. These follow-ups should be carried out regularly by the dermatologist and, if necessary, oncologist.
How can melanoma be captured in the early period?
Since melanoma usually starts on the surface of the skin, the chances of early detection are very high. It is very useful for the person to regularly check his skin on a regular basis. For this purpose, the whole body skin should be examined from head to toe in a sufficiently illuminated environment every month, and a hand mirror should be used for areas that are difficult to see. The examination can be started, with scalp (another person's help may be requested), neck, shoulders, back, chest and so on. respectively. It should be noted that the grooves, the arms and the legs, the soles of the feet, the toes and the toes. This process, which seems to be long, actually does not last 5 minutes. To be aware of the changes in our skin, how our moles appear, and in the case of any difference, contacting a dermatologist or a specialist experienced in this matter greatly increases the chance of early diagnosis of melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.
MELANOMOUS LEATHER CANCER
Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common type of cancer. This group includes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis which is precancerous. The most effective way to prevent skin cancer is to protect from the sun.
How do non-melanoma skin cancers appear?
Basal Cell Carcinoma: It is mostly seen in the skin areas exposed to the sun. Generally, it appears as a small, red or skin-colored, shiny-edged relief, and later on there is wound, bleeding, and crusting. They grow slowly and never spread to other parts of the body, but if they are not treated for a long time, they can cause a deep wound to damage the underlying tissues.
Squamous Cell Cancer: In sun-exposed areas, it is often seen in the head and neck and tends to develop on the back of the arms, lips and hands and arms. They may resemble basal cell carcinoma but are more fluffy and crusted. If untreated, squamous cell cancers can migrate to the lower tissues and become deep wounds and damage the tissues. In a small number of cases, it can spread to the lymph nodes and other distant organs and result in death.
Actinic Keratosis: Mostly lesions occur most frequently in the areas exposed to the sun and most commonly on the back of the face and hands. It is in the form of small pink, red or brown spots that can feel rough, rough surface. It has to be treated because of its potential to transform into SHC.
Is the dermoscopy method useful in the diagnosis?
The dermoscope can be thought of as a magnifying glass with a special light system. With this examination, the physician can see the upper layers of the skin in detail and make the diagnosis easier and more accurate.
Who is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer?
Non-melanoma skin cancers are more common with advanced age. Light-skinned people are more likely to be formed, these people are intense