Speaker A
Today's topic is skin cancer. Skin cancer is a type of cancer arising from the skin. It mostly develops in the area of the skin that is exposed to the sun, but it can also form on areas of skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell skin cancer or BCC, squamous cell skin cancer or SCC, and melanoma. The first two, along with some other less common skin cancers, are known as non-melanoma skin cancer or NMSC. Basal cell skin cancer usually develops in the sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the neck and face. This type grows slowly and can damage the tissue around it, but it's unlikely to spread to distant areas or become life-threatening. It is the most common, resulting in about eighty percent of non-melanoma skin cancer. Squamous cell cancer also usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, hands, and ears. This type is more likely to spread. People having dark skin shade are more likely to develop this type in areas that aren't often exposed to the sun. It is the second most common, resulting in about 20 percent of all non-melanoma skin cancer. Basal and squamous cancer rarely result in death. Melanomas are the most aggressive. This type can develop anywhere on the body and develops from melanocytes, the cells that give skin the normal color, and they can also develop in existing benign moles that become cancerous. In men, they are likely to develop on the face, chest, and back. In women, they are likely to develop on the lower legs. Melanomas can be cured if detected and treated early and can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Melanomas may eventually lead to death. Melanomas are the least frequent of the three common skin cancers. In 2012, melanoma occurred in 232,000 people and resulted in 55,000 deaths worldwide. White people in South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia have the highest rates of melanoma in the world. Causes: The primary environmental cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure. Sun exposure doesn't really explain skin cancers that develop on skin not exposed to sunlight. This suggests that there are other factors that may contribute to the development of skin cancer, such as smoking tobacco, HPV infections. This increases the risk of squamous cell skin cancer. Ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, artificial UV found in tanning beds. The World Health Organization now places people who use artificial tanning beds in its highest risk category for skin cancer. Use of any immunosuppressive medications, such as cyclosporine, a calcineurin inhibitor, and azathioprine, increase the risk. Some genetic syndromes, including congenital melanocytic nevi syndrome. Other factors that may increase the risk of developing skin cancer: fair skin, a history of sunburns, excessive exposure to the sun, moles, sunny or high-altitude climates, a family history of skin cancer, a weakened immune system, exposure to radiation, and other substances such as arsenic. Symptoms: painless raised area of skin that may appear shiny with blood vessels running over it, hard lump with a scaly top, a mole that has changed in size, color, has irregular edges, has more than one color, itches or bleeds, dark lesions on the palms, soles, fingertips, or toes, a flat flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion. Diagnosis and treatment: During diagnosis, the doctor will examine your skin to determine whether changes on your skin are likely to be skin cancer. Skin biopsy, where suspicious-looking skin is removed to be tested in the lab. This can determine if you have skin cancer and also the type of skin cancer that you have. The stages of the cancer are determined based on how far cancer has spread. This will help the doctor to determine the best treatment option. Tests such as imaging tests may be used. Non-melanoma skin cancer stages range from stage 0, where the cancer is still confined to the epidermis, to stage 4, where cancer has spread beyond the primary tumor site to the lymph nodes and bone or tissue, and the cancer is larger than three centimeters. Melanoma stages range from stage 0, where the cancer is confined to the epidermis, to stage 4, where cancer has metastasized from the original site to the lymph nodes, organs, and other tissues in the body. Treatment: Treatment options depend on the size, type, depth, and location of the lesions. If the cancer is small and limited to the surface of the skin, removing the cancerous growth through skin biopsy may be the only treatment required. If additional treatment is needed, options are freezing with liquid nitrogen or cryosurgery, excisional surgery, Mohs surgery for larger, recurring, or hard-to-treat skin cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy that uses laser lights and drugs to destroy cancerous cells, heritage and electrodesiccation, biologic immunotherapy for melanomas, biologic immunotherapy agents such as ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab. Thank you for watching our video. Please do not forget to like and share the video. Also, please subscribe to the channel to stay updated on our latest videos.
