Skin Cancer:

There are three basic types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Malignant Melanoma. Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma are skin cancers that occur more often in persons with frequent sun exposure. Malignant Melanoma is less strongly related to total sun exposure, but is closely related to sun burning, especially severe sunburns with blistering that occur in childhood or adolescence. Patients who have already been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma are more likely to develop more skin cancers.

Basal Cell Carcinomas, while the most common form of skin cancer, rarely metastasize, rather, they grow locally and destroy the surrounding skin and tissues. Basal cell carcinomas can be very disfiguring but rarely lead to death. Generally, removal or destruction of these cancers is curative.

Squamous Cell Carcinomas tend to spread through a process called “local extension.” It is similar to the growth of a tree: the cancer sends out “roots” into the surrounding skin and tissues. Of particular concern with squamous cell carcinomas is when they occur on the head/face area or are close to a nerve. Once the “root” reaches a nerve, it can very quickly spread to the brain and cause death. Early detection and treatment of squamous cell carcinomas is imperative to avoid their spread.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that usually begins as a mole. Once a melanoma reaches a critical depth into the skin it becomes very likely to spread throughout the body, i.e. metastasize. Since metastatic melanomas tend to spread to the bones and the brain, death from melanoma is often very painful. Additionally, melanoma occurs in all ages of adults from teens onward, with the prevalence increasing with age. Despite recent improvements in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, the death rate within five years of diagnosis is still over 80%. In comparison,  patients with melanomas detected early, before they spread, have a five-year survival rate of over 95% with most of these patients considered “cured.”

How can suspicious moles be recognized? The A, B, C, D, E Criteria for Detecting Melanoma

Using the “ABCDE” rule can help you to recognize suspicious moles during self evaluation. Moles which show one or more of the signs below should be treated with utmost attention and observed by your physician!

A for Asymmetry

B for irregular, Blurred or jagged Borders

C for Color variation

D for Diameter larger than ¼ inch

E for Evolving, any change – in size, shape, color, elevation, or symptoms such as irritation, pain or bleeding