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Skin
Cancer
What
is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is a malignant tumour of the skin. Tumours on the skin are
very common due to constant contact with ultraviolet light, chemicals and
external influences.
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Four
different types of malignant tumours :
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Basal
cell carcinoma
This is known as a ‘rodent ulcer’ and is found mainly on the head and
neck. It is associated with exposure to sunlight, medical irradiation and
arsenic medication.
Starting as a small papule, the centre starts to
degenerate forming an ulcer. They tend to grow on the face and appear as a
sore that will not heal.
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Squamous
cell carcinoma
More invasive as it can spread to distant sites, this is frequently seen
in skin which has been scarred or damaged in the past by chemicals.
This tumour appears as a hardened lump with
thickening of the surrounding tissues.
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Malignant
melanoma
A melanoma is a mole which is benign, pigmented area. It only becomes a
problem if it undergoes malignant change. It is much more common nowadays
due to the increase in sunbathing.
If the mole changes shape, size or colour and
there maybe symptoms of itching or bleeding then a malignancy must be
suspected.
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Kaposi’s
sarcoma
This is more common now as it is seen in people with AIDS. Originally
resembling a bruise, the skin becomes darker and may form into a lump.
They may also occur in the gastrointestinal tract, liver and lymph glands.
In people with AIDS, symptoms progress fairly rapidly due to their
weakened energetic state.
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Conventional
treatment
This is either by local excision, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, depending
on the progression of the disease.
©
The Internet Health Library 2000
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This page was last updated on 05 December 2006 17:02:05
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