Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers and usually develops in the layers exposed to solar radiation. Depending on their nature, these tumors can be of different types. Let’s see them.
And although most of them are not fatal if diagnosed early, it is important to know their characteristics. And it is that, despite the fact that it generally develops in areas of the skin that are too exposed to solar radiation, the truth is that it can also do so in regions that are not.
Skin cancer groups different types of malignant tumors and each of them has specific causes and symptoms, as well as a certain severity. Knowing all these types is essential to know how we can prevent them.
For this reason, in today’s article, in addition to understanding what skin cancer is, seeing its causes and where it usually develops, we will review the main types.
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What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is that malignant tumor that develops in the cells of the epidermis, which, of the three that make it up, is the most superficial layer of the skin. Below is the dermis and hypodermis.
Be that as it may, like any other type of cancer, skin cancer consists of an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells from our own body, in this case skin cells. In the epidermis, there are three types of cells. And depending on which ones get out of control, we will be facing a specific type of skin cancer. But we’ll get to that later.
For now, it is enough to understand that this abnormal growth of cells arises due to a mutation in their genetic material, which leads them to not be able to regulate their replication system normally. They don’t know when to reproduce and when not to, causing them to grow larger than they should.
When this happens, the resulting cells form a tumor, which is a mass of cells whose biological “clock” is deregulated . If this tumor does not compromise the person’s health and there is no risk of it migrating to vital organs, we are dealing with a benign tumor. If, on the contrary, it affects health and/or can metastasize to other regions of the body, we are already talking about a malignant tumor or cancer. That is, all cancers are tumors but not all tumors are cancers.
- To learn more: “The 7 differences between a benign and a malignant tumor”
Therefore, it is important to diagnose the disease quickly before the cancer metastasizes. If detected early, removal surgery may be enough to cure the cancer. However, if it has been given time to grow and spread, it may be necessary to resort to treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. If the cancer is localized, the survival rate is over 98% .
Why does it develop?
It develops because the cells of our body suffer a genetic mutation that, by chance, alters their ability to regulate divisions. Normally, it is the solar radiation that incites the mutations that, in the long run, can cause the genetic material of the skin cells to be so damaged that they do not regulate their reproduction cycle. Hence, it is said that the sun is a powerful carcinogen.
In fact, practically all skin cancers are due to excessive exposure to solar radiation . Hence, the best form of prevention is to limit the time we spend in the sun and, obviously, use protective sunscreen.
In any case, it should not be forgotten that, although this factor is very decisive, there is also a clear genetic component, which predisposes some people to developing cancer even when protecting themselves from solar radiation.
Similarly, there are skin cancers that develop in areas that are never (or almost never) exposed to solar radiation, such as the feet, in which case the causes remain unclear.
For this reason, it is important to periodically check our skin and look for any new mole, lesion or sore whose origin we do not know. At the slightest suspicion, it is very important to go to the doctor, especially if the risk factors are met : having many moles, fair skin, a family history of this cancer (the hereditary factor is not the most important but it does exist), an immune system weakened…
What types of skin cancer exist?
As we have mentioned before, in the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin, in which cancer develops) there are three types of cells: melanocytes, basal and squamous . Depending on which one alters your division rhythm, we will be facing one type or another.
By far the most serious type is the one that affects the melanocytes. For this reason, the traditional classification is based on whether the cancer develops in these cells or in the others. In this sense, the first division is melanoma and non-melanoma cancer.
1. Melanoma
Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer , although, fortunately, it is also the least common. In any case, more than 280,000 cases continue to be registered annually in the world. As we can deduce, it is the cancer that develops in the melanocytes.
Melanocytes are the cells of the epidermis responsible for synthesizing melanin, a pigment that serves as a natural protection against solar radiation, in addition to determining the color of our skin. Melanocytes are found in the lowest part of the epidermis, which both complicates detection and increases the chances that it will affect health and spread.
Although the most common is that it develops in the regions of the skin most exposed to solar radiation, such as the nose, ears, hands, etc., the truth is that melanomas can also appear in areas that are away from light. . There have even been cases of melanomas in the intestines.
If detected quickly, melanoma can be treated relatively easily with surgery. The problem is that many times it does not give visible manifestations , since the melanocytes are in deeper layers, moles or skin lesions are not always observed.
This means that it is often only detected when it has already spread to other organs and the symptoms have worsened, so chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be required.
2. Non-melanoma skin cancer
Skin cancers that develop in cells other than melanocytes make up their own group, as their characteristics are similar and their severity is much less than that of melanoma, although they are still obviously dangerous.
They are also the most frequent . In contrast to the 280,000 cases of melanoma, more than 1 million cases are registered annually in this group. Non-melanoma is cancer that develops in the basal cells or in the squamous cells. Let’s see the characteristics of each of them.
2.1. Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell cancer, more commonly known as basal cell carcinoma, develops in this type of cell. Basal cells are those found at the base of the epidermis, just below the squamous cell layer. Its function is to produce new epithelial cells, that is, to renew the skin.
This type of cancer tends to appear in the areas of the head (especially the nose) and neck that are most exposed to solar radiation, although they can develop in other parts of the body, including those that are not exposed to the sun’s rays. including the genitals.
Unlike melanoma, its early detection is simpler, since the appearance of a sore that arises without apparent explanation and that fails to heal is observed. Basal cell carcinoma is usually seen as a lesion with translucent lumps where blood vessels are visible, scaly and reddish patches, brown, black and even blue marks or white scars.
Removal surgery is usually sufficient and very rarely causes serious complications , because, in addition to the fact that its rapid detection means that it is treated early, it is very rare that it metastasizes to other organs.
2.2. Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell cancer, more commonly known as squamous cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, is one that develops in this type of cells of the epidermis. The squamous cells constitute the uppermost layer of the epidermis, that is, the one in contact with the outside. Its function is to separate us from the environment.
However, their position makes them more exposed to solar radiation and, therefore, it is the most common type of skin cancer . In this sense, squamous cell carcinoma usually develops on the hands, nose, lips, ears, etc., although, like all others, it can do so in areas protected from solar radiation, including the inside of the mouth.
Like the basal cell type, its early detection is quite simple, since the lesions on the skin are easily observed, which usually consist of sores with scaly crusts, firm and reddish lumps or patches that resemble a wart.
Unlike the previous one, here there is a greater risk of it spreading to other organs (although it is still rare), so, taking into account that it is also the most common, we must be attentive to the possible appearance of these lesions and request medical care before it metastasizes.
It is relatively common for it to spread to the lymph nodes, a life-threatening situation. For this reason, the best thing is an early diagnosis that allows the disease to be cured with surgery and not having to resort to more aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Bibliographic references
- World Cancer Research Fund International. (2019) “Diet, nutrition, physical activity and skin cancer”. WCRF.
- American Cancer Society. (2017) “Skin Cancer”. American Cancer Society.
- Iregui Piñeros, ML, Ronderos Osorio, J. (2017) “Skin cancer: A daily reality ignored”. Community Charter.
- Lobos, BP, Lobos, SA (2011) “Non-melanoma skin cancer”. Condes Clinical Medical Journal.
- Castañeda Gameros, P., Eljure Téllez, J. (2016) “Skin cancer, a current problem”. Medigraphic.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
