What is Skin Cancer?

Studies show an increase in the number of people suffering from skin diseases today, and the average age is also decreasing. Skin cancer, one of the most important types of diseases to watch out for, is a type of cancer that arises due to unexpected changes in the skin. It can occur in any area of ​​the skin exposed to sunlight.

What are the Types of Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer types are divided into three categories:

Basal Cell

Carcinoma,

Squamous Cell Carcinoma,

Malignant Melanoma.

The locations of different types of skin cancer and their effects on the individual vary.

What Factors Cause Skin Cancer?

There are many causes of skin cancer. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are at the top of the list. UV rays are known to be one of the primary causes of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. UV rays damage the DNA of skin cells, and this damage causes skin cancer. UVA, UVB, and UVC rays all contribute to the development of various types of skin cancer.

Moles on the body can also cause skin cancer. The likelihood of developing skin cancer is directly proportional to the number of moles on the body.

What are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer symptoms vary depending on the three types of skin cancer. These can be listed as follows

Skin Cancer Diagnosis Process

The most important factors in diagnosing skin cancer are the appearance of a new lesion on the skin and a change in the color of this lesion. Changes in the shape, size, and itching of moles on the body are also of great importance in the diagnostic process.

Initial Examination

Before a skin cancer diagnosis is made, your doctor will first examine your skin. They will look for any changes that might indicate skin cancer. If a diagnosis is made, a skin biopsy will be performed to confirm it.

Choosing a doctor you feel safest with is extremely important for a skin cancer screening. You should be able to ask your doctor questions about the situation and ensure that all tests are performed thoroughly. You can contact us for information about skin cancer screenings or skin cancer treatment.

Skin Cancer Treatment Methods

The treatment method to be applied in skin cancer should be determined by a plastic surgeon. In skin cancer treatment, the treatment method is determined by considering the patient’s health condition, the status of the cancerous cells, and many other variables.

Surgical Treatment Method

Surgical treatment is the fundamental and gold standard method for removing all cancerous tissue from the body. In surgical treatment, cancerous tissue is cut out of the body. During this procedure, healthy tissues surrounding the cancerous tissue are also included in the removal area in varying amounts and distances depending on the diameter, biological structure, and depth of the cancerous tissue.

Radiation Therapy

In cases where surgery is not possible, or in cases where complete removal is not feasible or recurrence occurs, radiation therapy can be performed in addition to surgery. It aims to control cancerous cells using radiation beams delivered to the skin

Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy

Their roles in the treatment of skin cancers are limited. Immunotherapy, particularly in patients with malignant melanoma, has become a current practice in addition to surgical treatment; however, there is not yet sufficient scientific evidence to support the claim that it reduces the likelihood of tumor recurrence.

How is Skin Cancer Treated Depending on the Type of Cancer?

The basic treatment approach for skin cancer is to remove the tumor tissue and, if present, the entire lymph node chain to which it has spread, in a way that minimizes the risk of recurrence while causing the least possible cosmetic and functional deformity. Therefore, following removal, tissue transplants or skin grafts from other parts of the patient’s body, either near or far, may be necessary. The treatment approach varies depending on the type, size, depth, extent, and location of the skin cancer, as well as the patient’s age.

How Long Does Skin Cancer Surgery Take?

Treatment for a small basal cell carcinoma diagnosed early takes 20-30 minutes under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting (polyclinic or doctor’s office); however, treatment for an advanced-stage malignant melanoma that has spread to regional lymph nodes can take up to 3-4 hours under general anesthesia. The main factors determining the duration of skin cancer surgery are age, type of cancer, its extent (whether or not lymph node involvement is present), depth and width, and also the location of the area it occupies in the body.

Skin Cancer Treatment Recovery Process

After skin cancer treatment, patients need to be more mindful of their health. To protect skin health, they should avoid uncontrolled sun exposure, use sunscreen when going outside, and stay away from tanning beds. Furthermore, patients with a history of skin cancer should regularly check their bodies and see their doctor regularly at the intervals specified by their physician.