What are the symptoms of skin cancer

The incidence of skin cancer in modern life is not too high, but skin cancer is related to the following factors: long-term exposure to the sun and ultraviolet rays in daily life and work; contact with ionizing radiation or chemical carcinogens; chronic irritation and inflammation, as well as human immunosuppression, viral carcinogens, etc.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and can be divided into four subtypes.

1. Nodular ulcer type: At the beginning, a waxy nodule the size of a millet grain or a pea will appear on the epidermis. The epidermis will also be very hard, and there are often a small number of dilated capillaries on the surface, which are slightly higher than the skin surface, or just like erythema but not obviously raised, or slightly nodular, and the surface skin is slightly sunken. This nodule can gradually expand or new lesions appear nearby, merge with each other, and slowly form a disc-shaped plaque with a waxy luster. The center often forms a brown, yellow-brown or dark gray scab, and then an ulcer occurs under the scab, which will also gradually expand. The edge of the ulcer is firm and rolled up, often translucent and uneven, and there is no inflammation in the surrounding skin. The bottom has a pearly or waxy appearance, and sometimes the lesion surface is completely covered by scab. The ulcer slowly spreads to the surrounding and deep parts, like a rat bite, forming a typical clinical form of basal cell carcinoma, called erosive ulcer. The ulcer can partially heal and cause scars, or it can extend to the subcutaneous tissue and even cartilage and bones. Various tissues can be destroyed and become deep pits. It can occur on the face and can damage the cartilage and bone tissue in the nose, ears, eye sockets, maxillary sinus, etc., causing bleeding or intracranial invasion or disfigurement. Basal cell carcinoma lesions develop slowly and rarely metastasize to regional lymph nodes or elsewhere.

2. Pigmented type: The nodules are shallower and the lesions are the same as those of the nodular ulcer type. Because it contains more pigments, the edges of the lesions will have a pearly luster, and dark brown or black-brown pigment spots will appear in the form of dots or nets. Pigmentation can be seen in the central part. After the scab is formed, it is easy to bleed. The scab may be dark brown or even charcoal black granules, which is similar to malignant melanoma and is also easy to misdiagnose.

3. Morpho-plastic or fibrotic type: It is a common disease on the head and neck with hard yellowish or yellowish-white plaques with unclear boundaries, a bit like morbidity, slightly raised, which can remain intact for a long time but will eventually rupture.

Fourth, the superficial type, mostly occurs on the trunk, presenting as one or several infiltrative erythema, with desquamation or crusting on the surface, and the edge or the entire lesion is slightly raised, and at least part of the edge is in the shape of a small pearl or line-like embankment. This type may eventually become fibrotic. It is similar to psoriasis, eczema or seborrheic dermatitis.

Squamous cell carcinoma develops quickly, is highly destructive, and can extend into connective tissue, cartilage, periosteum, and bones. Regional lymph node metastasis often occurs, and in the late stage, it can metastasize to the internal organs. In particular, squamous cell carcinoma of the mucosa is more likely to metastasize. However, there is no obvious difference in the clinical manifestations of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma in the early stage. However, it often occurs in skin that has been in an abnormal state for a long time, and is often caused by the transformation of keratosis, mucosal leukoplakia, or other precancerous diseases. The initial skin lesion is mostly a dry, hard papule or nodule as big as a millet grain or soybean. The surface is dark red or has capillary dilation, rough and uneven, with tightly attached keratin in the center, which is not easy to peel off. Forced peeling can easily cause bleeding, and keratin will grow again after peeling. Later, ulcers may occur in the center, and the ulcer surface continues to increase. Its development is faster than basal cell carcinoma. In a relatively short period of time, a cancerous ulcer with milky white particles or necrotic tissue is formed. Sometimes, a fairly deep ulcer is formed, resembling a volcanic vent. If it is infected, there will be sticky pus, abnormal odor, and pain. Some squamous cell carcinomas develop outward and may adhere to deep tissues to form a growth with a broad base, which looks like a milky or cauliflower-like tumor.

The above are some symptoms of skin cancer. I hope you will pay attention to them. If you have any suspicion, you can seek medical attention in time. In your life, try to avoid long-term exposure to the sun and use some UV-blocking sunscreen skin care products. Reduce the use of electrical appliances that emit radiation and stay away from chemical carcinogens as much as possible.