skin disorders
Overview of Skin Cancer
Introduction
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and people of all skin tones can be affected. People who have light skin are particularly susceptible to developing most forms of skin cancer because they produce less melanin. Melanin, the protective pigment in the outer layer of skin (epidermis), helps protect the skin from Ultraviolet light . However, skin cancer also can develop in people who have dark skin and in people who have not had significant sun exposure to their skin. Skin cancer is more common among people who spend a lot of time outdoors for work or recreation. Skin cancers can be found on any location of the body but are most commonly diagnosed on areas that are often exposed to the sun such as the head and neck. Skin cancers may also develop years after radiation therapy or exposure to substances that cause cancer (for example, ingestion of arsenic). Over 5.4 million new cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer (such as basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer) were diagnosed in 2012 in the United States. Thethree most common types of skin cancerare Basal Cell Carcinoma None Squamous Cell Carcinoma None Melanoma None These three types are caused, at least in part, by long-term sun exposure. Less common types of skin cancerare Atypical Fibroxanthoma None Cancer of skin glands Kaposi Sarcoma None Merkel Cell Carcinoma None Paget Disease of the Breast or extramammary Paget disease (usually in the groin or near the anus) Cutaneous T-cell Lymphomas None Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Situ (formerly called Bowen disease) and possibly Many skin cancers are curable, especially when treated at an early stage. At first, skin cancers typically do not cause any symptoms. Therefore, any unusual skin growth that enlarges or lasts for more than a few weeks should be examined by a doctor. 