Skin Cancer: What to Look for in Adults

There are three main types of skin cancer:

• Melanoma – Melanoma accounts for 75 percent of skin cancer deaths. Melanoma begins in the cells in the epidermis that give the skin its color (melanocytes, which form melanin). If it's not caught and removed, it can quickly spread to other organs in the body. Once that happens, melanoma is very difficult to treat.

Melanomas often begin in a mole and have certain characteristics in adults. When checking your skin, look for these ABCDE's in a mole or spot:

	Asymmetry – One half unlike the other half.
	Border – Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.
	Color – Varied from one area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue.
	Diameter - While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser when diagnosed), they can be smaller.
	Evolving – A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.

If you notice a mole different from others, or which changes, enlarges, itches or bleeds (even if it is small), you should see a dermatologist, who can determine whether it's something to be concerned about.

• Basal cell carcinoma – The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. It starts in the basal cells, which are in the lowest layer ("basement") of the skin or epidermis. Basal cell carcinoma might be pink or red and sometimes looks shiny and kind of see-through or pearly.It can look like a sore that won't go away. Most basal cell carcinomas show up on areas often exposed to the sun, such as the face, scalp and ears. The slow-growing tumors very rarely spread to other parts of the body or become deadly. Still, they should be treated and removed before they grow bigger, when treatment might leave a larger scar.

• Squamous cell carcinoma – Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the squamous cells in the upper layer of the skin. A squamous cell carcinoma usually looks like a bump that isn't healing, and may be crusted-over. It's more common in people who have fair skin and are middle aged or older and who frequently have been exposed to the sun. Thermal burns and exposure to chemicals and radiation also may lead to squamous cell carcinoma. It's important to have it removed because it can spread and in rare cases become deadly.

 

Next: Treating Skin Cancer

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Photo references:

Melanoma on the sole of the foot - Photo previously published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2006 Nov;55(5):741-60. Gloster H, and Neal K. “Skin cancer in skin of color.” Copyright Elsevier (2006).

 

Basal cell carcinoma - Photo used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

 

Basal cell carcinoma on the head - Photo previously published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2003 Aug;49(2):332-335. Kulkarni P, Brashear R, Chuang T. "Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome in a person with dark skin." Copyright Elsevier (2003).

 

Squamous cell carcinoma - This photo was previously published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1999 Sept;41(3):443-48. Guenthner S, Hurwitz R, Buckel L et al. “Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas consistently show histologic evidence of in situ changes: A clinicopathologic correlation.” Copyright Elsevier (1999).

 

Squamous cell carcinoma on the lower leg - Photo courtesy of Carl Washington, MD. Previously published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2006 Nov;55(5):741-60. Gloster H, and Neal K. "Skin cancer in skin of color." Copyright Elsevier (2006).