symptons of skin cancer

[akhanna01]

what are the symptons of skin cancer ? is these symptons are visible on the skin or not?

[allie01]

symptom of skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. It is estimated that over 1 million new cases occur annually. The annual rates of all forms of skin cancer are increasing each year, representing a growing public concern. It has also been estimated that nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once.

[skincare]

I have searched the net and found this.

Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer

While some of the signs and symptoms for skin cancer vary according to skin cancer type, some are the same. One of the common factors is that skin cancers are most commonly found on areas of the skin that endure the most most sun exposure, such as the face, ears and hands. Malignant melanoma, however, does occur more frequently than other skin cancers in places on the body that are rarely if ever exposed. Malignant melanoma is one of the more uncommon skin cancers, yet it is by far the most dangerous. Melanoma kills someone in the United States every hour. There are certain signs of melanoma that you can watch for. Know your skin! Early detection is the key to early treatment and long-term survival of malignant melanoma. Here are some things to look for:

* A new firm, fleshy bump.
* Area with a waxy appearance.
* A sore that does not heal.
* A sore that oozes, crusts, or bleeds.
* An area that looks like a scar that has not suffered an injury.
* A raised lesion with a sunken area in the middle.
* A rough, scaly bump.
* Any change in an existing wart or mole.

[allie01]

i think the symptons of skin cancer is small blood vessels may be visible within the tumor.

[Ashu]

Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. But it can also form on areas that rarely see the light of day — your palms, beneath your fingernails, the spaces between your toes or under your toenails, and your genital area.

Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions. When melanoma occurs in those with dark skin tones, it's more likely to occur in areas not normally considered to be sun-exposed.

A cancerous skin lesion can appear suddenly or develop slowly. Its appearance depends on the type of cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma
This is the most common skin cancer. It's also the most easily treated and the least likely to spread. Basal cell carcinoma usually appears as one of the following:
A pearly or waxy bump on your face, ears or neck
A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion on your chest or back

Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is easily treated if detected early, but it's slightly more apt to spread than is basal cell carcinoma. Most often, squamous cell carcinoma appears as one of the following:
A firm, red nodule on your face, lips, ears, neck, hands or arms
A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface on your face, ears, neck, hands or arms

Melanoma
This is the most serious form of skin cancer and the one responsible for most skin cancer deaths. Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that turns malignant. Melanoma most often appears on the trunk, head or neck of affected men. In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the arms or legs.

Warning signs of melanoma include:
A large brownish spot with darker speckles located anywhere on your body
A simple mole located anywhere on your body that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
A small lesion with an irregular border and red, white, blue or blue-black spots on your trunk or limbs
Shiny, firm, dome-shaped bumps located anywhere on your body
Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips and toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina and anus

Less common skin cancers
Other, less common types of skin cancer include:
Kaposi sarcoma. This rare form of skin cancer develops in the skin's blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes. Like melanoma, it's a serious form of skin cancer. It's mainly seen in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with AIDS, and in people taking medications that suppress their natural immunity, such as people who've undergone organ transplants.
Merkel cell carcinoma. In this rare cancer, firm, shiny nodules occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. The nodules may be red, pink or blue and can vary in size from a quarter of an inch (about 6 millimeters) to more than 2 inches (about 50 millimeters). Merkel cell carcinoma is usually found on sun-exposed areas on the head, neck, arms and legs. Unlike basal and squamous cell carcinomas, Merkel cell carcinoma grows rapidly and often spreads to other parts of the body.
Sebaceous gland carcinoma. This uncommon and aggressive cancer originates in the oil glands in the skin. Sebaceous gland carcinomas — which usually appear as hard, painless nodules — can develop anywhere, but most occur on the eyelid, where they're frequently mistaken for benign conditions.

Precancerous skin lesions, such as an actinic keratosis, also can develop into squamous cell skin cancer. Actinic keratoses appear as rough, scaly, brown or dark-pink patches. They're most commonly found on the face, ears, lower arms and hands of fair-skinned people whose skin has been damaged by the sun.

Not all skin changes are cancerous. The only way to know for sure is to have your skin examined by your doctor or dermatologist.

[khassa]

SYMPTOMS OF SKIN CANCER

* A small lump (spot or mole) that is shiny, waxy, pale in color, and smooth in texture.
* A red lump (spot or mole) that is firm
* A sore or spot that bleeds or become crusty. Also look for sores that don't heal.
* Rough and scaly patches on the skin.
* Flat scaly areas of the skin that are red or brown.
* Any new growth that is suspicious

[akshaykalia]

The symptoms of basal cell Carcinoma or Cancer can vary and may include skin changes such as:

1. Red, tender, flat spot that bleeds easily.
2. Small, fleshy bump with a smooth, pearly appearance, often with an indentation in the middle.
3. Smooth, shiny bump that may look like a mole with change in its size, shape, or color.
4. A bump that bleeds, itches, crusts over, and then repeats the cycle.
5. Scarlike patch of skin, especially on the face, that is firm to the touch.
6. Pearly bump with tiny blood vessels in a spiderlike appearance.

The symptoms of squamous cell Carcinoma or Cancer include:

1. Skin growth that looks like a wart.
2. Persistent, firm, red bump on sun-exposed skin.
3. Patch of skin that feels scaly, bleeds, or develops a crust, which may get bigger over a period of months and form a sore.
4. Sore that does not heal or an area of thickened skin on the lower lip.

The Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Symptoms involves

1. Change in the skin, such as a growth.
2. An irritation or sore that does not heal.
3. A change in a wart or mole.

[shona]

This is really interesting as i never knew what the systoms were!! Thank you everyone for your posts!!

[MagicOPromotion]

I agree with you Helen, and the doctors perhaps thought she was "too young" to get a melanoma.

My sister died of a melanoma, so I have been aware of skin cancers for a long time.

I get my GP to check my skin on a regular basis, particularly my back and parts I cant see and every so often go to a dermatologist. SG

[Dennis]

The most known symptons of skin cancer are :


A small lump (spot or mole) that is shiny, waxy, pale in color, and smooth in texture.


A red lump (spot or mole) that is firm


You can read more about it on Skin Care Symptons (http://cancer.about.com/od/skincancermelanoma/a/skinsymptoms.htm)

[catherine]

Very informative thatks.

[Horace33]

According to current estimates, 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once. Although anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is greater for people who work outside and have fair skin that freckles easily – often those with red or blond hair or light-colored eyes.

The risk is also higher in places where there is intense year-round sunshine. In the United States, the highest incidence is in Arizona. Because eastern North Carolina receives high levels of UV radiation from the sun, residents are at high risk for skin cancer.

[abhinav singh]

The Symptoms of skin cancer are as follows:-


1.Small blood vessels may be visible within the tumor.

2.A central depression with crusting and bleeding (ulceration) frequently develops.

3.A BCC is often mistaken for a sore that does not heal.

4.Like BCCs, SCCs may ulcerate and bleed.

5.Left untreated, SCC may develop into a large mass.

[vencasand]

if you have a suspicious spot, sore, or mole on your body, go have it checked out by a doctor. i have had to have spots removed. they weren't malignant yet but could have been. most the time they are benign, but you will feel better if you have them checked. they can lazer them right in the derms office.

[mck123]

Skin cancer mostly develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands in the human body. But it can also form on areas that more rarely see the light of day your palms, beneath your fingernails and the spaces between your toes or under your toenails, and your genital area on the body.

[debratorveny]

I would recommend that everyone should perform self skin examination or clinical skin exam.

[mck123]

One of the best way to catch skin cancer before it spreads and becomes some difficult to cure and is by careful and daily self examination and routine exams by your health-care provider.Looking for signs of skin cancer is also a challenge because most of us have some brownish spots on our skin such as birthmarks, moles, freckles - which are usually normal also. Skin cancers also may have many different appearances. They can be like small, shiny, waxy, scaly and rough, firm and red, crusty or bleeding, and have other features.

[topairportcars1]

The symptoms also of non melanoma skin cancer can mostly be seen quite easily in the human body. They tend to occur most often on body skin that is also exposed to the sun. It will also more help you to spot body skin cancers early if you are aware of how your skin basically looks.

[Ankith]

Basal cell and squamous cell both are participated in cancers can appear in different way. Usually they are painless and grow slowly. They can appear anywhere on the body. But mostly appears on exposed skin, especially on your face or neck.
Symptoms for basal cell cancer:
Be smooth and pearly
Look waxy
Appear as a firm, red lump
Bleed sometimes
Develop a crust or scab
Begin to show signs of healing and yet never quite heal
Be itchy and so on.
Symptoms for squamous cell:
Look scaly
Have a hard, horny cap
Make the skin raised in the area of the cancer
Feel tender to touch.

[vjykmr89]

Skin cancer can be found just about anywhere on the body, but is most often spotted on sun exposed areas — the scalp, neck, face, lips, ears, arms, hands, and legs. It can also show up in strange places, like in between your toes, underneath your nails, and even around your genitals. Certain types of skin cancers can also occur in your mouth or on your eyelids. Some skin cancer signs may appear suddenly while others may develop more slowly. Hope this information will helpful to you

[Ankith]

Yes. It will visible on skin after two are three month.
A few symptoms for skin cancer:
Small lump that is shiny, pale colour and smooth.
A red lump is firm.
Rough or scaly patches on the skin.
A spot that bleeds crusty. Also looks for sore that don’t heal.

[breonnajackson]

Yes. It will visible on skin after two are three month.
A few symptoms for skin cancer:
Small lump that is shiny, pale colour and smooth.
A red lump is firm.
Rough or scaly patches on the skin.
A spot that bleeds crusty. Also looks for sore that don’t heal.

Thank you ankith!!! You have provide such a useful information!!!

[Doracollis03]

So, what are the facts we should avoid to prevent skin cancer.

[micheljohn]

The common symptoms of skin cancer are dark spot,scars,red lump etc.check your blood and skin to prevent from skin cancer.

[Peterson12]

A: Appearance : Does it look weir to you
B: Border : Is its border smooth or irregular (zigzags)
C: Color : Does it have more than 1 color; if some are dark brown and some are red: bad news
D: Dimension: Measure it across at its largest width; it greater than 1 cm; be concern
E: Elevation : Feel the mole with the tip of your finger; if smooth: Ok if rough surface: concern

Skin cancer does not produce pain, if may itch but it you scratch it and it bleeds: bad news and go see a Dermatologist for a Biopsy ($250.00)

[Ziesha001]

Symptoms Of Skin Cancer

Any new development that is suspicious.
Smooth scaly places of the epidermis that are red or darkish.
A painful or identify that will bleed or become crusty. Also look for blisters that don't cure.

[bharatbookburea]

Near about 700 Peoples dies due to skin cancer only in South Africa, Thanks for this thread, here is most of the symptoms are mentioned peoples need to aware of this so they can recognize cancer as soon as possible.