Staiano Plastic Surgery
  • Home
  • The Clinic
      • About Us
      • Founder
      • Meet The Team
      • We Care
      • Aftercare
      • Fees
      • Find Us
      • In The Media
  • Procedures
    • Breast Implants
      • Breast Enlargement
      • Implant Replacements
      • Mummy Makeover
    • Breast Reshaping
      • Breast Lift Mastopexy
      • Breast Reduction
      • Gynaecomastia Correction
      • Inverted Nipple Correction
      • Areola Reduction
      • Mummy Makeover
    • Body Contouring
      • Tummy Tuck
      • Arm Reduction
      • Liposuction
      • Mummy Makeover
    • Skin Surgery
      • Mole Removal
      • Cyst Removal
      • Tattoo Removal
      • Scar Revision
      • Earlobe Surgery
    • Scar Management & Skin Care
  • News & Blog
  • Contact
  • 0121 454 3680
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Different Types Of Skin Cancer

4 March 2019/0 Comments/in General, Skin Surgery /by admin@staiano

Cancer is a very emotive word and when people hear the diagnosis of cancer they understandably will conjure images of prolonged unpleasant treatment and poor prognosis.

However, when it comes to skin cancer, it can cover a range of different types of cancer from the relatively mild form which can be cured by minor surgery, through to the more aggressive types which can carry with them a poor prognosis.

There are three main types of skin cancer and they can usually be distinguished on their clinical appearance:

  1. first is a BCC basal carcinoma
  2. next an SCC squamous cell carcinoma,
  3. and the other is malignant melanoma. 

Malignant melanoma is in a category of its own, which is why the other types of skin cancer are sometimes known as the non-melanoma skins cancers.

They usually look quite different in that BCCs and SCCs are red patches of dry crusty skin which can be confused with a spot that does not heal up.

They sometimes ulcerate and may bleed or itch. 

Melanoma on the other hand tends to be a pigmented lesion, in that it is brown, can start in an existing mole, or present as a new mole.

It is usually identified by a change in a mole and it becomes bigger, smaller, or starts itching or bleeding. 

They are both due to sun exposure (this is why I keep going on about having SPF on a daily basis not just when it is sunny outside).

However, melanoma is more associated with sunburn, particularly sunburn as a child, but it is very common in sunny climates like Australia.

BCC and SCC are more associated with chronic sun exposure
and because our skin is exposed to the sun all the time, over the years this sun exposure can take its toll, which is why BCCs and SCCs are more common the older we get and it is also why they are more common in sun exposed areas such as the face.

Melanoma is at one end of the spectrum and it can be quite a significant disease.

It can spread rapidly
and can be associated with a very poor prognosis which is why if you have any moles that you are worried about you will need to get them checked out on an urgent basis.

On the other hand, BCCs and SCCs which do not tend to look like moles but more like red patches of skin or spots and can sometimes be confused as insect bites, are less aggressive, with BCCs being milder than SCCs.

BCC and SCC can often be cured by removing them and may only involve a minor operation with the main aim to make sure that they are removed completely and if they are completely removed then they may need no further treatment.

This is why they have to be excised and you should not consider other treatment such as curettage or shave because removal of normal skin all the way round and deep to the lesion needs to be attained in order to ensure they have been completely removed.

I have written a guide with what to look for in a mole. 

If you are concerned, then the bottom line is if you have any changes or are worried about it, then you should go to your GP or come and see us to get things checked out.

We will let you know if there is anything to worry about
or whether you can simply just keep an eye on things.

Do not panic if you get a diagnosis of skin cancer because it might be one of the milder forms such as BCC which really is not what we normally associate with cancer because once BCCs are completely excised, they do not need any further treatment.

You simply just have to keep an eye out for further lesions because once you have had one you are at a higher risk of getting others.

It is important that we are all vigilant with our skin, look out for any moles or spots that are changing, and as always prevention is better than cure, so be sensible in the sun, keep covered up, use suntan lotion and regularly re-apply it, and without wanting to sound like a broken record, consider incorporating SPF into your daily regime of skin care.

Play safe in the sun.

 

Click Here To Subscribe To My Blog

Tags: mole removal, skin cancer
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://www.staianoplasticsurgery.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/different-types-of-skin-cancer.jpg 450 900 admin@staiano https://www.staianoplasticsurgery.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/logo.png admin@staiano2019-03-04 12:41:182022-04-06 14:35:45Different Types Of Skin Cancer
You might also like
Do I Need To Send My Mole For Histology?
Shave Excision of Your Mole
Our See and Treat On The Day Service
Cost of Mole Removal
Laser excision of a mole versus surgical excision
Removing a mole without leaving a scar
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

  • Lockdown 2.05 November 2020
  • Twilight Anaesthesia – A Change For Good?21 October 2020
  • Is it safe to have surgery during Coronavirus?28 September 2020
  • Why does breast reduction cost so much?16 March 2020
  • What is a Tummy Tuck with Muscle Repair?9 March 2020
  • How to treat Breast Asymmetry24 February 2020
  • Removing a mole without leaving a scar14 February 2020
  • The risks of cosmetic surgery22 January 2020
  • 5 ways to treat keloid scars14 January 2020
  • Smooth Breast Implants20 December 2019
  • Removing a Beauty Spot11 December 2019
  • Mini tummy tuck with muscle repair23 November 2019
  • Reality TV is not reality1 November 2019
  • Lipoma Removal17 October 2019
  • The Barbed Suture2 October 2019

Categories

  • Body Contouring
  • Breast Plastic Surgery
  • General
  • Latest News
  • Skin Surgery
#askjj
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Linkedin
Youtube
Pinterest

Read Jonathan's book now!

Jonathan is on a one man crusade to revolutionise the image of cosmetic surgery and is passionate about spreading his message about cosmetic surgery training.
Download our app

Copyright © 2022 Staiano Plastic Surgery
Registered in England & Wales No. 8294829

Privacy Policy| Disclaimer| Terms of Use
design & development by eSterling

Schedule Callback

Schedule Callback

Please leave your details and we will get back to you asap.

    What is Life-Changing Surgery? Sam Smith inspiring body confidence