Cancerous Skin & Tissue Pathologies
Seborrheic Keratoses: Although Seborrheic Keratoses are often confused with warts, they are quite different. Seborrheic keratoses are non-cancerous growths of the outer layer of skin. There may be just one growth, or many, which occur in clusters. They are usually brown, but can vary in color from light tan to black. They vary in size from a fraction of an inch in diameter to larger than a half-dollar. A main feature of seborrheic keratoses is their waxy, “pasted-on” or “stuck-on” look. They sometimes look like a dab of warm brown candle wax that has dropped onto the skin.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), the second most common skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma, afflicts more than 200,000 Americans each year. It arises from the epidermis and resembles the squamous cells that comprise most of the upper layers of skin. SCCs may occur on all areas of the body including the mucous membranes, but are most common in areas exposed to the sun.
Leukoplakia: These white patches or plaques on the tongue or inside of the mouth, arising in the mucous membranes, have the potential to develop into SCC. They are caused by sources of chronic irritation, including smoking or other tobacco use, and rough teeth or rough edges on dentures or fillings. Leukoplakia on the lips is mainly caused by sun damage.
Bowen’s Disease: This is generally considered to be a superficial SCC that has not yet spread. It appears as a persistent red-brown, scaly patch which may resemble psoriasis or eczema. If untreated, it may invade deeper structures.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (most common skin cancer): Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, affecting more than 800,000 Americans each year. In fact, it is the most common of all cancers. More than one out of every three new cancers are skin cancers, and the vast majority are BCCs. These cancers arise in the basal cells, which are at the bottom of the epidermis (outer skin layer).
Actinic Keratoses (AK): Actinic keratoses or solar keratoses are considered the earliest stage in in the development of skin cancer. They are small, scaly spots most commonly found on the face, ears, neck, lower arms, and back of the hands in fair-skinned individuals who have had significant sun exposure. Actinic keratoses can be treated by cryotherapy (freezing), topical chemotherapy (applying a cream or lotion), chemical peeling, dermabra- sion, laser surgery, curettage, photogynamic therapy (a chemical is applied to the skin prior to exposure to a light source), or other dermatologic surgical procedures.
Malignant Melanoma: Malignant melanoma is the most deadly of all skin cancers. Every year, an estimated 8,000 Americans will die from melanoma; it is projected that greater than 108,000 Americans will develop melanoma annually. Melanoma typically begins on the surface of the skin, where it develops when melanocytes (the cells that give skin, hair, and eyes color) are damaged, which causes these cells to grow uncontrollably.
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