Is skin cancer easy to check?

Skin cancer is a very common cancer. In recent years, many people do not pay much attention to it, and the incidence of skin cancer has continued to increase. We need to do a good job of skin cancer inspection and identification to facilitate early detection and early treatment. Skin cancer can occur in any part of the body. About 80% occur on the face, head and neck, causing deformity and danger to the affected parts.

1. Inspection

Biopsy pathological examination is also extremely important for the classification and treatment of skin cancer, and the treatment effects are also different.

Among skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma must be differentiated from each other, and they must also be differentiated from seborrheic keratosis, carcinoma in situ, discoid lupus erythematosus, etc.

1. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma: Basal cell carcinoma mainly occurs on the face, especially the nose, forehead, eyes, cheekbones and upper lip. The lesions develop slowly, and the local area is often not congested. The surface is crusted but not keratinized. The edges are rolled up and waxy and translucent. There is no or mild inflammatory reaction, and metastasis is rare. Squamous cell carcinoma can occur in any part of the body, especially the junction of the skin and mucous membranes and the limbs, lower lip, nose, ears, back of the hands and genitals. It often occurs in areas with chronic skin lesions. The lesions develop quickly, with obvious local congestion or dilated capillaries around and on the surface. Keratinization is obvious, the edges are raised and hard, the inflammatory reaction is significant, and lymph node metastasis is prone to occur.

2. Seborrheic keratosis: Also known as senile warts, it is common in men over 50 years old, mostly on the face, neck, chest, back and back of hands. The lesions are round or oval flat wart-like rashes slightly above the skin, with a yellow, yellow-brown to coal-black color, clear boundaries, soft texture, slightly rough surface, and covered with oily scaly scabs. The number of rashes is uncertain, but often there are many. Seborrheic keratosis can exist permanently without malignant transformation. Individual lesions in a very small number of patients can develop into basal cell carcinoma. Histopathological examination can help with diagnosis.

3. Skin carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease): Lesions often occur on the trunk and buttocks, and can be single or multiple. Typical cases are clearly demarcated scaly maculopapules that can gradually expand or merge with each other. The size of the lesions can vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters. The surface is covered with scales or brown to gray hard scabs after desquamation, which are not easy to peel off. The development is slow or there is no obvious change for a long time. Sometimes the central part may partially disappear or scar formation occurs, while new lesions appear nearby. Generally, it does not turn into ulcers. Histopathological examination is helpful for diagnosis.

4. Discoid lupus erythematosus: It is more common in middle-aged men and women. The lesions are small papules at the beginning, gradually expanding into plaques. They are dry in nature, with hyperkeratinized surface, dilated hair follicles, keratin plugs, atrophic spots, no ulcers, and congested edges. Those that occur on the face are distributed in a butterfly shape. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, and tissue pathology can help identify them.

5. Keratoacanthoma: It is more common in middle-aged men, mostly on the face, especially the cheeks and nose, and rarely on the limbs and trunk. The lesion is a solid hemispherical tumor standing on the skin, like a light red acne or a nodule similar to the skin color, with raised edges and a crater-shaped center, containing a keratinous scab. The disease develops rapidly, but it will no longer develop after it grows to a diameter of about 2 cm. It will shrink and heal naturally within 2 to 6 months, leaving an atrophic scar.

Skin cancer is not a minor disease. We must pay attention to it and pay attention to the inspection and identification of different skin cancers. Once similar symptoms are found, avoid missing the best time for treatment. At the same time, we must maintain a good attitude towards treatment and recover health as soon as possible.