There are 3 main types of skin cancer which are: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.
Although all are considered cancer, they are divided into two different categories, which include:
- Non-melanoma skin cancer: where basal and squamous cell carcinomas are included. They are usually benign and 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.
When a suspicious sign appears on the skin, which changes color, shape or increases in size, you should consult a dermatologist to see if there is malignancy and what to do in each case. See how to assess the signs of skin cancer.
1. Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the least severe and most frequent type of cancer, occurring in more than 95% of cases. It usually appears as a pink spot on the skin, as shown in the image, which grows slowly, being 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 and scalp, but it can also appear in other parts of the body.
How to protect yourself: use sunscreen daily with an adequate protection factor, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
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 skin cancer and occurs most commonly in men, although it can also develop in women of any age. It has the shape of a knot that grows fast and forms a cone, as shown in the image.
This type can appear due to sun exposure, 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 or scars. Generally, people who are diagnosed with an actinic keratosis spot, and who do not undergo the treatment indicated by the media, also have a high chance of developing this type of skin cancer.
Where it can appear: it is more common in places exposed to the sun, but it can also happen in covered areas, but very old as having wrinkles or loss of elasticity.
How to protect yourself: use sunscreen every day, avoid exposure to cigarettes and other toxic substances.
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. Malignant melanoma
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of cancer of all and usually appears as a dark speck, as shown in the image, which is deformed 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 areas exposed to the sun or that suffer from rapid burns, such as face, shoulders, scalp or ears, especially in very light-skinned people.
How to protect yourself: in addition to using sunscreen on a daily basis, it is important to constantly check the skin to see if any spots, signs or stains change characteristics, quickly consulting a dermatologist if this happens.
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 evaluated quickly 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.
