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Definition
 Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells
 Most often develops on skin exposed to the sun
 the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms
and hands, and on the legs.
 It can also occur on areas of your skin that rarely
exposed to sunlight.
 palms, beneath your fingernails, the spaces
between your toes or under your toenails, and
genital area.
 Skin cancer occurs when errors (mutations) form the
in the DNA of healthy skin cells. The mutations cause
the cells to grow out of control and form a mass of
cancer cells.
 Cells involved in skin cancer
 Squamous cells lie just below the outer surface
and function as the skin's inner lining.
 Basal cells, which produce new skin cells, sit
beneath the squamous cells.
 Melanocytes, which produce melanin, the
pigment that gives skin its normal color
 Skin cancers start as precancerous lesions
(dysplasia). Some specific dysplastic changes
that occur in skin:
 Actinic keratosis is a patch of red or brown,
scaly, rough skin, which can develop into
squamous cell carcinoma.
 A nevus (mole), and dysplastic nevi are
abnormal moles. These can develop into
melanoma over time.
•Three main types
- basal-cell
- squamous-cell
- melanoma

• Melanoma can metastasize (spread) to distant

body sites including the lungs, liver or brain.
 Basal Cell Carcinoma

 Basal cell carcinoma

may appear as:
 A pearly or waxy
bump
 A flat, flesh-colored
or brown scar-like
lesion
 Squamous Cell Carcinoma

 Squamous cell
carcinoma may appear
as:
 A firm, red nodule
 A flat lesion with a
scaly, crusted
surface
Melanoma
 Melanoma signs
 A large brownish spot
with darker speckles
 A mole that changes in
color, size or feel or that
bleeds
 A small lesion with an
irregular border and
portions that appear red,
white, blue or blue-black
 Dark lesions on your
palms, soles, fingertips or
toes, or on mucous
membranes lining your
mouth, nose, vagina or
anus
Risk factors
 Fair skin
 A history of sunburns
 Excessive sun exposure
 Moles
 A family history of skin cancer
 Weakened immune system
 Exposure to certain substances
 Increasing age
Diagnosing

 Examine your skin (size, shape, color, or

elevation of a mole)
 Remove a sample of suspicious skin for
testing (skin biopsy)
Treatment
 Treatment for basal cell carcinoma and
squamous cell carcinoma is surgical removal
of the lesion.
 Cryosurgery
 Excisional surgery
 Curretage and electrodesiccation
 Mohs surgery
 Malignant melanoma, however, may require
several treatment methods, including
surgery,radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Prevention
 Avoid the sun during the middle of the day
 Wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15)
 Avoid artificial tanning booths
 Conduct periodic skin self-examinations.
Conclusion
 Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin
cells.Most often develops on skin exposed to
the sun. There are three major types of skin
cancer basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell
carcinoma and melanoma. Examine your skin
often for new skin growths or changes in
existing moles, freckles, bumps and
birthmarks.