SKIN CANCER (Kantor ¶ 1, 2009).

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Basically, the unrestrained abnormal growth of skin cells is usually referred to as skin cancer. Skin cancer originates within the skin. In the event that the skin cancer is left uncontrolled, the cancer cells have the potential of spreading from skin to other tissues as well as organs. Generally, skin cancer affects most of the people worldwide as compared to the other types of cancer. This is mostly due to the fact that skin forms part of the largest organs within human body. There are various skin cancer genres.
The most common type of skin cancer is the basal cell carcinoma. On the other hand, the type of skin cancer which is least common is melanoma, but it has been categorized as the most dangerous. The other skin cancer type which is considerably common is squamous cell carcinoma. Both the basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are commonly termed as nonmelanoma. Other least common nonmelanoma cancers of skin are cutaneous lymphoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma alongside merkel cell carcinoma. In most cases, melanoma originates from the skin surfaces which are directly exposed to the sun. In addition, melanoma has the capability of spreading very quickly all over the body unlike nonmelanoma. (Kantor ¶ 1, 2009). The external skin layer, which is known as epidermis, is composed of various kinds of cells. Consequently, classification of skin cancers is made in relation to the epidermal cells type affected. For instance, basal cell carcinoma is brought about by the development of abnormal cells within the most bottom epidermis layer. The squamous cell carcinoma entails the alteration of squamous cells which form the epidermis middle layer. On the other side, melanoma affects melanocytes cells. These cells are the ones which produce pigment. It has been discovered that most of the deaths resulting from skin diseases are caused by melanoma (Schwartz p 63, 2008).Since the year of 400 BC melanoma had been categorized as one of the dangerous diseases. A Greek physician, Hippocrates who is nicknamed as “medicine father” labeled melanoma as the black tumor. In 1987, John Hunter, who was a physician of British origin was the one who originally documented as well as treated melanoma even though he was unsuccessful. The initial positive advancement in the treatment of melanoma was conducted by Samson Handley who was a researcher at a certain London hospital. Handley made use of his expertise in metastasized cancer of breast to treat melanoma. He undertook removal of the tumor alongside the surrounding subcutaneous tissue, thus setting the foundation of managing melanoma surgically in the present years. Luckily, as a result of medical research advancements, preventive measures aimed at mitigating melanoma have been initiated in addition to curative procedures. Actually, paying attention to how long one is exposed to the sun alongside periodically making an examination of personal body makes the whole world of difference. Basically, the vital aspect in the realization of successful mitigation alongside treatment involves comprehension of how to avoid skin damage along with knowing methods of detecting the skin cancer at the earliest stage (Tracie p4, 2005). Several risk factors have been associated with the development of skin cancer. Complexion is one of these factors. Realistically, skin cancers are prevalent in individuals whose skin, eyes along with hair are light-colored. The other risk factor linked to skin cancer is genetics. In most of the situations, people whose family history indicates several incidents of melanoma amongst relatives are at a greater risk of getting affected to this cancer. In addition, age has also been factored out as the other risk factor. Generally, individuals aged more than forty years of age are prevalent to the nonmelanoma genre of skin cancers. Another risk factor associated with the emergence of skin cancer is sun exposure alongside sunburn. Majority of skin cancers affect the skin parts which are mostly directly in contact with sunlight or even other forms of ultraviolet radiation (Eggert, Rosen, & Schumack p 24, 2009). This has been discovered to be the root cause of almost all types of skin cancers. Nevertheless, all people are at a risk of developing skin cancer, not only those who possess the previously mentioned risk factors. Young as well as healthy people inclusive of those whose skin, eyes alongside hair are dark have the potential of developing skin cancer. (MacFarlane p 8, 2009) Researchers have come up with various explanations on the science behind all cancer types. The principle behind the development of all cancer types is the DNA mutations which lead to unrestrained cell growth. The cell is actually the minutest life form. Every living thing, from plants to animals, are made up of cells. Humans have been found to possess a great number (thousands of thousands) of cells. Reproduction of cells takes place by the process of splitting to form fresh cells. Cells internally possess a material which is called, deoxyribonucleic acid which is abbreviated as DNA. It is the DNA which is responsible for the creation of codes which control all what happens inside the cell. This code is usually organized within the genes of all people. The DNA units referred to as genes get inherited from the parents of an individual and they determine specific traits; for instance, your appearance. Cancer refers to the condition, within which the body reproduces certain cell types uncontrollably, even when those additional cells are unneeded. DNA errors have been identified as the root cause of the uncontrollable reproduction. This may occur through two ways (Tracie p 10, 2005).In the first way, an error in DNA copying occurs in the course of the cell division process. Basically, this nature of error gets inherited from the parents of the victim. The second way is in the event that damage is inflicted on the DNA by an outside source which may be physical or even chemical and the enzymes repair it incorrectly. Errors in the DNA duplication are termed as mutations. In the process of losing and replacing basal cells within epidermis, cells may become cancerous due to genetic mutation. These mutations which make an individual to become prone to any skin cancer type can also be got from the parents of a person. However, in most of the cases the mutations are caused by injuries inflicted by external sources such as ultraviolet rays on the DNA code Skin cancers just like the other types of diseases come along with various symptoms. Skin cancers usually have several diverse appearances. Skin cancer can emerge as minute, scaly, red shiny rash patches on the skin of the victim. In other cases, the rashes may be rough, crusty with blood clots alongside other features. Some of the features to check out for are such as Asymmetry. In respect to asymmetry, fifty percent of the affected skin area does not match the other. Borders also form part of the features. In the case of borders, the abnormal skin part will show irregular borders. Color is also another feature which can be examined. The affected areas show color variance from one part to the other with red, brown, white, tan or red shades. As a result, once something suspicious has been identified developing on the skin should be reported to a qualified physician for professional check up. The diameter of the abnormal growth is the other feature which should be put into consideration. Usually, growths related to skin cancer have a diameter which is greater than six millimeters. Lastly, one should also make a closer examination of skin growths which do not heal and occasionally bleed (Lane& Comac p 52, 1998). All in all, different skin cancer types call for different approaches in treatment. The treatment of cancer through surgical removal is the most common. The first intrinsic step in the skin cancer treatment is the carrying out of skin biopsy. The skin biopsies are carried out in various techniques such as pre-op, hemostasis; shave biopsy, saucerization amongst several others. Nevertheless, each biopsy technique has its unique clinical indications (MacFarlane p 1, 2009). On the other hand, various skin cancer types have different treatment procedures. For the case of melanoma, the skin cells which are cancerous alongside a part of the normal tissue surrounding the cancer are surgically removed. The amount of normal tissue to be removed mostly relies on the depth of the melanoma growth. In the situation where the cancer has affected the neighboring lymph nodes, these nodes are also removed. Treatment using interferon immediately after the surgical operation is quite helpful to the patients. However, melanoma which has spread to other organs other than the skin or neighboring lymph nodes is usually difficult to treat. Actually, it is especially incurable. Melanoma which has returned is treated through chemotherapy. Immune system boosters such as interferon alongside interleukin are also helpful (Schwartz p 34, 2008).
Basal cell carcinoma treatment differs in accordance to the basal cell size, location along with depth. The cancer is always removed using varied procedures. Curettage alongside electrodesiccation scrapes the cancer away and utilizes electricity to destroy the cancer cells which are left-over. Mohs surgery in addition to cryosurgery can also be applied. Cryosurgery kills cancer cells by freezing them. Squamous cell carcinoma is considered to have the highest cure rate if subjected to the treatment process at the early stages. Similar to the basal cell, treatment varies with the size as well as location of the tumor. Squamous cancers which are untreatable through surgery are treated by the means of radiation. Besides, skin creams alongside medications such as imiquimod can also be used in the treatment of Squamous cell carcinoma (Lane& Comac p 32, 1998).
Nevertheless, as the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure’. Thus one should observe some factors such minimizing the amount of time which one is exposed to the sun so as to avoid skin damage as well as skin cancer. One should wear clothing which is protective such as hats so as to avoid direct contact with the ultraviolet rays from the sun. Additionally, one should also apply sunscreen regularly prior to getting exposed to the sun. Also, one should avoid getting exposed to the sun when it is extremely hot. In the real sense, keeping these aspects in mind can really help one avoid ailing from skin cancer. References
Eggert, S., Rosen, T. & Schumack, S. (2009). Managing Skin Cancer. New York, NY: Springer
Kantor, J. (2009). Skin Cancer: Pubmed Health. Retrived on 12th of July, 2011. From http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002414/
Lane, I.W & Comac, L. (1998). The Skin Cancer Answer. New York, NY: Avery Publishing Group.
MacFarlane, D.F. (2009). Skin Cancer Management: A Practical Approach. New York, NY: Springer Publishers.
Schwartz, R.A. (2008). Skin cancer: recognition and management. Massachusetts, MA: Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
Tracie E. (2005). Skin Cancer: Current and Emerging Trends in Detection and Treatment. New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.