The Warning Signs of Skin Cancer (1)
This post is taken from Precancerous Skin Lesions and Skin Cancer Picture Slideshow at Webmd.com.
Like many cancers, skin cancers—including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma—start as precancerous lesions. These precancerous lesions are changes in skin that are not cancer but could become cancer over time. An estimated 40% to 50% of fair-skinned people who live to be 65 will develop at least one skin cancer. Learn to spot the early warning signs. Skin cancer can be cured if it’s found and treated early.
Actinic Keratosis (Solar Keratosis)
The small, scaly patches caused by too much sun exposure commonly occur on the head, neck, or hands, but can be found elsewhere. They’re the early beginnings of skin cancer. Actinic keratosis usually appears on people after age 40, but they can show up in much younger people. Fair-skinned, blond, or red-haired people with blue or green eyes are most at risk. Early treatment is advised to stop progression to squamous cell skin cancer.
Actinic Cheilitis (Farmer’s Lip)
Related to actinic keratosis, actinic cheilitis is a precancerous condition that usually appears on the lower lips. Scaly patches or persistent dryness and cracking of the lips may be present. Less common symptoms include swelling of the lip, loss of the sharp border between the lip and skin, and prominent lip lines. Actinic cheilitis may evolve into invasive squamous cell carcinoma if not treated.
Cutaneous Horns
The cutaneous horn appears as a funnel-shaped growth that extends from a red base on the skin. It is composed of compacted keratin (the same protein in nails). The size and shape of the growth can vary considerably, but most are a few millimeters in length. Squamous cell carcinoma is often found at the base. It usually occurs in fair-skinned elderly adults with a history of significant sun exposure.
When Is a Mole a Problem?
A mole (nevus) is a benign growth on the skin. While very few moles become cancer, abnormal or atypical moles can develop into melanoma over time. “Normal” moles can appear flat or raised or may begin flat and become raised over time. The surface is typically smooth. Normal moles are round or oval and no larger than a pencil eraser. Most moles develop in youth or young adulthood. It’s unusual to acquire a mole in the adult years.
Dysplastic Nevi (Atypical Moles)
Atypical moles are not cancer, but they can become cancer. They can be found in sun-exposed or sun-protected areas of the body. Atypical moles are larger (one-quarter inch across or larger) and more irregular in shape, with notched or fading borders. They may be flat or raised or the surface smooth or rough. They are typically of mixed color, including pink, red, tan, and brown.
Know Your ABCDEs
Most moles on a person’s body look similar to one another. A mole or freckle that looks different from the others or that has a diameter larger than a pencil eraser or any characteristics of the ABCDEs of melanoma should be checked by a dermatologist. It could be cancerous. The ABCDEs are important characteristics to consider when examining your moles or other skin growths, so learn them in the slides to come.
Know Your ABCDEs: ‘A’ is for Asymmetry
Asymmetry means one half of a mole does not match the other half. Normal moles are symmetrical. When checking your moles or freckles, draw an imaginary line through the middle and compare the two halves. If they do not look the same on both sides, have it checked by a dermatologist.
The Warning Signs of Skin Cancer (1)
The Warning Signs of Skin Cancer (2)
The Warning Signs of Skin Cancer (3)
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