The key to curing skin cancer is early diagnosis and surgical removal.   Due to convincing evidence that excessive exposure to sunlight is a major cause of skin cancer, you can significantly reduce your risk factors by taking preventative measures such as using effective sunscreens. 

Other causes of skin cancer are X-ray exposure, chemical carcinogens, thermal burns, chronic inflammation, and genetic pre-disposition. 

Warning Signs of Skin Cancer

If you notice any of the following warning signs, please consult a physician immediately:

• Mole or birthmark that undergoes a change in size or color or ulcerates
  
• Unusual firm mass within or beneath the skin
  
• Suspicious growth in a person heavily exposed to sunlight, X-rays, organic chemicals, or petroleum products
  
• Persistent lesions of the nail beds or other unusual locations
  
• Ulcer in a previously irradiated site, burn site, or old scar
  
• Persistent ulcer not explained by any other cause
  

Basal Cell Carcinoma

This is the most prevalent form of skin cancer, occurring most commonly in fair-skinned Caucasians who are exposed to intense sunlight.  These tumors frequently occur around the nose, eyelids, cheeks, and other exposed areas.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This type of cancer also occurs most commonly in areas exposed to sunlight.  These cancers may also arise in old burn scars, fistulas, or chronic inflammation. 

They may be elevated or ulcerated and may metastasize to the lymph nodes as well as to the lungs.  Treatment usually consists of a wide surgical excision and may require removal of adjacent lymph nodes.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a less common form of skin cancer, but it is potentially much more lethal since it can spread quickly through the skin, lymph nodes, and the blood stream. 

It most commonly occurs in Caucasians, especially those with blonde or red hair.  Melanoma often appears to be related to pre-existing moles and to excessive sunlight exposure, especially at an early age.  Three severe sunburns in early life will increase a person's risk of developing melanoma.

Melanoma is usually irregularly pigmented with shades of black, gray, brown, red, and even white.

• Warning Signs of Melanoma
• Irregular shaped pigmented growth
• Color variability within the lesion
• Recent change in size, shape, or color
• Ulceration or bleeding

Since the treatment outcome is related to the depth of the tumor invasion into the skin, early diagnosis and removal offer the best chance for a cure. The treatment of melanoma usually requires a wide surgical excision and may require skin grafts and/or removal of adjacent lymph nodes.