Skin Cancers

Skin cancers are abnormal malignant growths that involve various layers of the skin.  The cause of most common types of skin cancers is from excessive sun exposure.

Types of Skin Cancer

The three most common types of skin cancers include Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Malignant Melanoma.

1. BASAL CELL CARCINOMA (BCC)

• These are the most common forms of skin cancer and the least dangerous.  
• Seventy to eighty percent of skin cancers are BCCs.
• These grow slowly over several months or years.
• Very rarely spread to other parts of the body.
• Often superficial and may look like a red scaly patch.
• If not treated, may form an ulcer and invade underlying tissues.
• BCCs occur on sun exposed areas, mainly head and neck and upper trunk.

2. SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (SCC)

• About fifteen to twenty-five percent of skin cancers are SCCs.
• SCCs are less common than BCCs, but grow faster and to larger sizes.
• Occur most often on the head, neck, hands, forearms and lower legs.
• They may spread to other parts of the body if not treated.
• May look like a red scaly spot or lump, usually thickened, which may bleed easily or ulcerate.
• Often develop from solar keratoses (sun spots).

3. MALIGNANT MELANOMA

• These are the most lethal type of skin cancer and can spread elsewhere.
• Melanomas can occur anywhere in the body.
• Can arise from previous moles.
• Most are darkly pigmented and are usually brown to black in colour.
• The risk of spread depends on the depth (thickness) of its growth into the skin.

Diagnosis of Skin Cancers

If you have a growth, skin lesion or mole that looks abnormal or has changed, you should seek the opinion of your local general practitioner or dermatologist.  A biopsy may be performed to obtain a diagnosis.

Treatment of Skin Cancers

These can be treated in a number of ways.  Often, surgery is required to remove the cancers and the defect requires reconstruction which may include suturing, skin grafts or skin flaps.  These are usually performed by plastic surgeons, particularly if the defects are on the face.  This surgery can be performed under a local anaesthetic or with sedation (twilight anaesthesia) or under general anaesthesia depending on personal choice and what would be most appropriate for you.