In general, skin cancer occurs when the growth of abnormal skin cells gets ‘out of control’. Skin cancer usually affects the skin’s outermost layer (the epidermis) and it’s down to damaged DNA that leads to abnormal cells mutating into malignant tumors. Although skin cancer can develop on any area of the body, more often than not, it affects places that are frequently exposed to the sun. This is because UV rays (emanating from the sun) are the most common cause of damage to the skin’s cells
Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCC), or ‘rodent ulcers’, form in the basal cells of the epidermis. This type of skin cancer is usually found on the face, neck, scalp, ears, back and shoulders and can develop from both consistent long-term sun exposure, and irregular intense intervals. This is the most common form of skin cancer and can become quite serious if left untreated as it can grow larger and deeper.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) forms in the squamous cells in places such as: the ears, face, hands, neck and scalp – the areas where age spots and wrinkles are more likely to appear. This is the second most common form of skin cancer, which can also become quite serious if it goes undetected, and can spread elsewhere in the body.
Malignant melanoma develops in the melanocyte cells where melanin (the brown skin pigment) is formed. This is the most severe type of skin cancer that can form anywhere on the body, although it appears in areas other that are most frequently exposed to the sun It presents as a freckle or mole which suddenly gets larger, bumpier, darker or irregular in shape. Malignant melanoma starts in the epidermis, but can spread deeper to middle layers of the skin (the dermis), causing the cancer to become more invasive and may spread elsewhere in the body. With this type of cancer prompt diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance.
At Chester Cosmetic Surgery Miss Breahna will assess any skin irregularity in-depth whilst investigating the possibility of skin cancer. Treatment often entails an excision procedure if an abnormal lesion is suspected to be malignant, which will be sent away for testing. If further treatment is required this will be discussed with the patient and an appropriate plan put in place.