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Diagnosis of Skin Cancer

Sana — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:01:12 +0000

Diagnosis of Skin Cancer is very much depending on the biopsy methods. If you want to know the detail about the skin cancer then just follow this link what is Skin Cancer?

Test and method used in Diagnosis of Skin Cancer

Normally the doctor starts screening process of skin cancer from the physical Examination.

Physical Exam and Medical history:

In order to find out the causes of Skin cancer, the doctor gathers different information from the patient by asking about the medical history, family history of cancer and past illness.

The physical Exam is performed to check any kind of abnormalities and symptoms associated with skin cancer. The most apparent symptom of skin cancer is growth of skin lesion on the skin of patient. The skin examination is done to get the information about the size, shape, color, and texture of the suspicious area. The doctor also checks the lymph nodes so that any swelling or sign of cancer is pinpointed.

Biopsy

It is the most affective way as through this doctor get the clear idea whether the cancer prevails with cancerous cell or non-cancerous cells. The sample of tissue or cells are taken from the cancerous area so that it is examined under microscope by a pathologist .

Methods of Biopsy used in Skin Cancer:

The doctor can use any on of these methods of biopsy.

Shave biopsy: In this biopsy method, the doctor with the mean of a thin , sharp blade for shave off the abnormal growth. It is common method employed when the doctor suspected the presence of a basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

Incisional biopsy: When a part of cancerous growth area is removed through a scalpel then it is named as incisional biopsy.

Excisional biopsy: This process is used when the doctor suspect melanoma .The doctor removes the entire growth and some tissue surrounding it with a scalpel. However it is less common.

Punch Biopsy: In this type of biopsy, the doctor takes a sample of abnormal growth area through a circular tool that is very much resemble to a cookie cutter.

Nail Bed: When the doctor suspects the abnormal growth under a fingernail or toenail then this method of biopsy is employed. The doctor removes a part of nail so that incisional or excisional biopsy can be administered.

Fine Needle Aspiration: This method is less common for skin cancer’s biopsy and more common when a sample of tissue is taken from lymph nodes and below skin.

Other tests used for Skin Cancer’s screening

In case of metastatic melanoma the doctor may go for other test that is helpful in diagnosis and screening process of skin cancer are as follows

LDH , a blood test
CT Scan/ Computed Tomography
MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PET or Positron Emission Tomography Scan

Causes of Skin Cancer

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:55:09 +0000

Skin cancer is very severe form of cancer so if you want to know its detail then go to this page .What is Skin cancer? The major cause of skin cancer is the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Energy from sun is a form of radiation that combines the visible and other invisibles rays. UV radiation is also categorized under invisible rays. When our skin is exposed to this radiation then the intense energy of it leads to sunburn and sun tan cases.
The ultraviolet rays from the sun damage the DNA that is a genetic material which developed the genes. The genes are responsible for controlling the growth and overall health of our skin cells. DNA affects leads to genes damage .When the situation of genes damage touches extreme level, the normal skin cell start to growth and multiplies in a random and uncontrollable manner and gives birth to cancerous cells.
Ultravoilet rays not only cause sunburn and sun tan situation but these rays turn the younkers skin to older ;wrinkles and scales are start to appear on the surface of skin.
There are two kind of UV radiation; one is UVA (Ultarvoilet A) and second is UVB (Ultravoilet B)
It has proven by the scientist that intense exposure to UVB is the major cause of Skin cancer and UVA is also contribute to the cancer risk some how.
The people who want to avoid the skin cancer must use sunscreen products that protect the skin from both UVA and UVB.
Inheritance is another cause of skin cancer when the parents or other close siblings are the victims of skin disease. The disease may transmit from parents to children through genes.
Age may be a risk factor of skin cancer. Mostly, skin cancer appears when a person cross 60 years age limit but some time it signs appears earlier.

What is Skin Cancer?

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:10:46 +0000

Skin cancer is a growth or tumour on the skin. Skin is the outer tissue, which forms the outer covering of the body. It contains two main layers: Ã‚Â The dermis, or cutis Vera, the inner or true skin lying beneath the epidermis, the epidermis or cuticle, forming the outer coat. The skin continuously shed its outer cells as scales. Skin cancer mostly occurs on the epidermis (outer layer). This makes it clearly noticed and detectable in early stages. Unlike other cancers, skin cancer rarely kills its victims. Non-melaroma skin cancers are most common and are usually localized tumours caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation of the sun and they do not spread.

Skin cancer is thought to be as a result of DNA damage by UV radiation. Other factors thought to cause it are smoking, genetic factor, deficiencies in certain minerals and vitamins. There are a number of types of skin cancers but three stand out: Melaroma cancer; this is the least frequent. It spreads widely and has brown to black-looking lesions. Pain, itching, ulceration and or bleeding accompany it. Squamous cancer; this is less common than besal cancer. It spreads widely and is to be found on ears and lips. It can develop into a large mass if not checked. It can be accompanied by ulceration and bleeding. (Besal cell cancer; this is the most common. It rarely spreads and is to be found on the face, head, neck and shoulders.

Skin cancer is easily treated by surgery or radiation. Other skin cancers are merkell cell carcinoma, spindle cell tumours and sebaceous carcinoma. Treatment depends on the age, type of cancer and area infected, but treatment generally takes the form of radiation therapy, surgery/reconstruction and chemotherapy. Unlike other forms of cancer, skin cancer is the simplest to prevent, avoid using tobacco products, reduce over-exposure to UV radiation and wear protective clothing (long sleeves and huts) when outdoors for a long period of time and eating foods rich in vitamins and amino acids.