The most common cancer group known in humans is skin cancers.
Although the underlying sunlight-ultraviolet exposure is mostly
responsible, it is known that there are many causes such as smoking,
alcohol, some viral factors, genetic factors, skin type.
Biopsy should be taken from wounds that cause continuous
wound-scabbing-shedding cycles on the skin, chronic non-healing
wounds, and bleeding lesions. Although there are traditionally
beliefs colloquially people that biopsies performed for skin lesions
cause cancer, this is completely wrong. On the contrary, surgical
treatment is one of the most important steps in skin cancers.
Therefore, when person begin to suspect, a doctor should be
consulted.
The most common skin cancers are putted in order below:
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): It is the most common
type. It is mostly seen in areas under direct sunlight exposure,
such as the face and hands. It affects the area where it is, and if
it is not intervened, its progression is inevitable. Although this
type of cancer does not spread to other organs, it destroys the
tissue where it is located. Treatment is almost always surgical. In
very advanced stages or in cases where surgery cannot be performed,
radiotherapy or medical oncological treatment may be required.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): It is another common
skin-mucosa cancer. The difference of this type is a possibility of
excretion to other organs and lymph nodes. Surgical treatment
depends on the location of the tumor, its size, and the condition of
the regional lymph nodes. Medical oncology and/or radiotherapy may
need to be added to the treatment.
Malign Melanom (MM): Although it is rarer than
other cancers, it is one of the most aggressive tumors. For this
reason, early diagnosis is of great importance. ABCDE rule is
available in early diagnosis. If there is asymmetry (A) in the skin
spot known as mole, if there are border (B) irregularities, if there
is a color (C) change, if the diameter (D) is more than 1 cm, if it
is more puffy than the surrounding (E), it should be suspected.
Malignant melanoma can involve regional lymph nodes and other
organs. For this reason, after the oncological evaluation, the
tumoral mass is widely removed, a sample can be taken from regional
lymph nodes, and if necessary, these lymph nodes can be taken
completely.
