Skin cancer directly affects the lives and health of over 1 million people in the United States. In 2010, an estimated 1,000,000 million new cases suffered from non melanoma skin cancer. This is slightly higher than the estimate for new instances of melanoma cancer. Many people continue to ignore the simple preventive measures – reduce or eliminate sun exposure. As a result, the figures continue to rise in both categories.
While many understand that high and over exposure to ultra violet light does result in skin cancer, most never pause to consider the different types of skin cancer. They do not know the differences between carcinoma and melanoma. It is essential to realize the difference in order to prepare yourself for the types of treatment available.
Skin Cancer – A Brief Overview
Skin cancer is diagnosed when a cancer occurs within the skin tissues. Essentially, there are three basic kinds named in relationship to their origins:
- Melanoma – cancer that originates in the pigment making skin cells, the melanocytes
- Basal cell carcinoma – cancer that forms within the lower level of the outermost layer ofthe skin or epidermis
- Squamous cell carcinoma – Cancer that forms in the flat, thin cells comprising the toplevel of the skin’s epidermis
Melanoma is treated as a distinct and deadly form of skin cancer. Squamous and basal cell carcinoma are considered together as non melanoma skin cancer.
What is the Meaning of Carcinoma?
Carcinoma is a specific term in cancer. It is used to describe one of the basic kinds. In fact, carcinomas account for approximately 80-90% of all cancers. A carcinoma refers to a cancerous tumor that begins to form within the
cell’s lining (the epithelial tissues) of the skin. It also occurs in the mucous membranes of various body organs including the glands, lungs, urinary bladder and nerves, to name a few. In skin cancer, there are several specific types of carcinoma that can affect squamous and basal cells.
The term “carcinoma in situ” refers specifically to the confinement of the cancer to a specific location. It means the carcinoma is not spreading. It remains “in situ” in the spot of its origin. This results in the surgery being less complicated. It also means removal of the carcinoma may not simply be surgical treatment but also a cure.
Carcinoma Skin Cancer
If you get non melanoma skin cancer, you are more likely to suffer from basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. They differ from melanoma cancers in their location, ability to spread and treatment possibilities.
- Basal cell carcinoma is more common than squamous cell cancer or melanoma. It prefers sun-exposed areas of the body, particularly the nose. It rarely spreads but can do so to localized tissue.
- Squamous cell carcinoma appears on sun exposed skin but prefers the backs of hands, lower lips and ears. It may spread to any nearby lymph nodes.
Treatment for carcinoma forms of skin cancer is based, as for all cancers, on the size of the growth, the location and the health of the individual. In general, treatments for carcinoma skin cancers are surgical removal, curettage and electrodessication, cryosurgery, laser surgery, MOHS surgery or radiation therapy. In general, small carcinoma treatments result in effective removal of the cancer permanently. Success rate tends to range from 90 to 95% if caught in the earlier stages of development. This is not the case with melanoma.
Melanoma
Carcinoma skin cancer is rarer than melanoma. This is fortunate since melanoma is far more aggressive than its skin cancer counterparts. Melanoma is generally found on the trunks of men and the arms and legs of women. These are the areas of skin most exposed to the sun.
Indications of melanoma are frequently related to the behavior of moles on the body. If a mole changes in shape, size, color or border, it may be indicative of melanoma. If it appears to be in two different sized and shaped halves, oozes, bleeds or itches, you may have melanoma skin cancer. Moreover, if your mole suddenly sprouts a twin nearby, this may also be a sign of melanoma.
What specifically differentiates melanoma from carcinoma skin cancer is one significant factor. This is the ability to spread. Melanoma, unlike carcinoma does not restrict its location. Melanoma has a tendency to spread and spread rapidly to other parts of the body. These include the most valuable organs – lungs, liver and brain. It is essential to identify melanoma so treatment can start as soon as possible to affect a cure.
Treatment of melanoma, like other forms of skin cancer is based on the health of the individual. It also depends upon their age, size of the tumor, spread of the growth and its location. The basic treatment for Melanoma is almost always surgery. This can be any of the following types:
- Local excision – removal of only the tumor along with some surrounding tissue
- Wide local excision – removal of the tumor but expanding the region
- Sentinel Node Biopsy – location and removal of the sentinel lymph node for examination to see how wide the cancer has spread. This will indicate whether the surgeon needs to perform a lymphadectomy or not.
In conjunction with surgery, individuals who have melanoma will probably require other forms of medical treatment. These usually include the following:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Biologic therapy
- Chemoimmunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Vaccine therapy
Carcinoma and Melanoma are different forms of skin cancer. While melanoma presents a more severe threat to human life, both types are dangerous. Moreover, you can avoid melanoma and carcinoma easily and inexpensively. Enjoy the summer sun, but do not bask in cancer-causing rays without the right protection.
References
American Cancer Society (2011). “What are Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers?” Retrieved from
www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-BasalandSquamousCell/DetailedGuide/skin-cancer-basal-and-squamous-cell-what-is-basal-and-squamous-cell
Alschuler, L. N. and Gazella, K. A. (2010). The Definitive Guide to Cancer. An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment and Healing 3rd edition. Berkley: Celestial Arts.
Sarg, M. S. and Gross, A. D. (2007). The Cancer Dictionary Third Edition. New York: Checkmark Books.
National Cancer Institute (2011). “Melanoma: Treatment.” Retrieved from: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/Patient/page4#Keypoint17
National Cancer Institute (2011). “Melanoma: Treatment.” Retrieved from: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/Patient/page4#Keypoint17
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