Skin cancer, what is it and what is its treatment in Türkiye

skin cancer

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells that generally develops in areas exposed to sunlight but can also form in places that are not normally exposed to the sun.

Two main categories of skin cancers are identified according to the affected cells:

Keratinocyte carcinoma

The first category is basal and squamous cell skin cancers. This is the most common form of skin cancer and is most likely to occur on areas of the body that get sun exposure, such as the head and neck.

It is less likely to spread and life-threatening compared to other forms of skin tumors. But if left untreated, it can grow larger and spread to other parts of the body.

melanoma;

The second category is called melanoma. This type of cancer develops in the cells that give skin color. These cells are known as melanocytes. Benign moles made up of melanocytes can become cancerous and can develop anywhere on the body in men. Women are more likely to develop these moles on the chest and back. These moles are more likely to develop on the legs as well.

Most melanomas can be cured if diagnosed and treated early. If left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body and become more difficult to treat. Melanomas are more likely to spread than basal and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin.

Types of skin cancer

There are two main categories of skin lumps:

Keratinocytes and melanomas However, many other skin lesions are considered part of the larger umbrella of skin tumors. Not all of the following types are considered cancers, but they can become cancerous.

Actinic keratosis: These are red or pink spots on the skin, but they are not cancerous. But it may develop into a form of cancer. If left untreated, it may develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma: It is the most common form of skin cancer and basal cell carcinoma accounts for 90% of all skin cancer cases. It is a slow-growing lump that often appears on the head or neck.
Squamous cell carcinoma: This type of skin cancer develops in the outer epidermal layers and is usually more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma. It may appear as red, scaly lesions on the skin.
Melanoma: This type of skin cancer is less common, but it is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. In fact, melanoma makes up only 1% of skin cancers, but it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths. When it occurs, this tumor is formed in melanocytes, which are cells that create pigment in the skin.

Symptoms of skin cancer

Not all skin cancers are the same and may not cause many symptoms. However, unusual changes to the skin can be a warning sign of different types of cancer. Paying attention to changes in the skin can help get an early diagnosis.

Most likely symptoms:

Skin lesions: A new mole, unusual growth, bump, sore, scaly patch, or dark spot that does not go away.
Asymmetry: between the two halves of the lesion or mole, so they are not equal or identical.
Borders: Lesions that have jagged and uneven edges occur.
Colour: the occurrence of a spot of an unusual color such as white, pink, black, blue or red.
Diameter: A spot larger than a quarter of an inch or about the size of a pencil eraser.
Evolution: Noticing that a mole is changing in size, color, or shape.

What are the causes of infection?

Both types of skin cancer occur when mutations develop in the DNA of skin cells. These mutations cause skin cells to grow uncontrollably and form a mass of cancerous cells.

Basal cell carcinoma is caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds (a tanning bed is a device used for those who wish to change the color of their skin to a tan color through ultraviolet energy). And UV rays can damage the DNA inside skin cells, causing the cells to grow abnormally. Squamous cell carcinoma also results from exposure to ultraviolet light.

Squamous cell carcinoma can also develop after long-term exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. It can develop within a burn scar or sore, and it may also be caused by some types of human papillomavirus (HPV).

The causes of skin cancer are not clear. Most moles never turn into melanomas, and researchers aren’t sure why they do. Like basal and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin, melanoma can be caused by ultraviolet radiation. But melanomas can appear on parts of the body that aren’t normally exposed to sunlight.

Both types of skin cancer occur when mutations develop in the DNA of skin cells. These mutations cause skin cells to grow uncontrollably and form a mass of cancerous cells.

Skin cancer treatments

The recommended treatment plan will depend on various factors, such as the size, location, type, and stage of your skin cancer. After considering these factors, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

Cryotherapy: Cancer growth is frozen using liquid nitrogen and the tissue is destroyed as it thaws.
Excisional surgery: The growth and some of the surrounding healthy skin are cut out.
Mohs surgery: The growth is removed layer by layer, and each layer is examined under a microscope until no abnormal cells are visible.
Electrocauterization and desiccation: A long spatula-shaped blade is used to remove the cancerous cells, and the remaining cancerous cells are burned off with an electric needle.
Chemotherapy : Medications are taken by mouth, applied topically, or injected with a needle or IV line to kill cancer cells.
Phototherapy: It uses laser light and medications to destroy cancer cells.
Radiation: High energy beams are used to kill cancer cells.
Biological therapy: Biological therapies are used to stimulate your immune system to fight cancer cells.
Immunotherapy: A cream is applied to the skin to stimulate the immune system to kill cancer cells.

How we can diagnose the disease?

If suspicious spots or growths appear on the skin, or if you notice changes in existing spots or growths, you should make an appointment with your doctor. The doctor will examine the skin or refer the patient to a specialist for diagnosis.

The doctor or specialist is likely to check the shape, size, color and texture of the suspicious area on the skin. They will also check for crusting, bleeding, or any dry patches. If the doctor suspects it may be cancerous, they may perform a biopsy.

Through this safe and simple procedure, doctors remove a suspicious area or part of it to send to a lab for testing. This can help them identify skin cancer.

If skin cancer is diagnosed, the person may need additional tests to see how advanced it is. The recommended treatment plan will depend on the type and stage of your skin cancer, as well as other factors.

Skin cancer screening

Skin cancer screening by a dermatologist is a quick and easy procedure. The person who will be examined will be asked to undress to underwear and put on a thin paper gown

When the doctor comes into the room, he examines every part of the skin, noting any unusual moles or spots, and if he finds anything suspicious, he talks with the affected person about the next steps at this stage.

Early detection is the best way to ensure successful treatment of skin cancer before it progresses further. Unlike other organs, the skin is highly visible to a person at all times. This means they can proactively watch for signs of unusual changes, spots, or worsening of symptoms.

A self-examination system can be followed that will help examine every part of the body, even parts that are not exposed to the sun. Melanoma is particularly prone to developing in areas that are not normally exposed to the sun. So it is important to check places on the body such as the head and neck as well as between the toes and the groin.

stages of skin cancer

To determine the stage or severity of skin cancer, the doctor takes into account the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body.

Skin cancers fall into two main groups: melanoma and non-melanoma.

Non-melanoma skin cancers include basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.

Non-melanoma stages include:

Stage 0: The abnormal cells have not spread beyond the epidermis.
Stage I: The cancer may have spread to the next layer of skin, the dermis, but it is no more than two centimeters.
Stage II: The tumor is larger than two centimeters, but has not spread to nearby sites or lymph nodes.
Stage III: Cancer has spread from the primary tumor to nearby tissue or bone and is larger than 3 centimeters.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread beyond the site of the primary tumor into the lymph nodes, bone or tissue. The tumor is also larger than three centimeters.

The stages of melanoma include:

Stage 0: This harmless type of melanoma has not penetrated the epidermis.
Stage I: The cancer may have spread to the second layer of skin, the dermis, but it remains small.
Stage II: The cancer has not spread beyond the original tumor site, but it is larger and thicker and may have other signs or symptoms. These include crusting or bleeding.
Stage III: Cancer has spread or has spread to nearby lymph nodes, skin, or tissues.
Stage IV: The most advanced stage of skin cancer, Stage IV is an indication that the cancer has spread beyond the primary tumor and is beginning to appear in lymph nodes, organs or tissues distant from the original site.

When the cancer returns after treatment, it is called recurrent melanoma. Anyone diagnosed is at increased risk of cancer recurrence, which makes follow-up care and self-examinations even more important.

Skin cancer prevention

To reduce your risk of skin cancer, avoid exposing your skin to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light for long periods of time. For example:

Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps.
Avoid direct sun exposure when the sun is strongest, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by staying indoors or in the shade during those times.
Apply sunscreen and lip balm to protect from the sun, and it is best to apply it to exposed skin for at least 30 minutes before going outside or applying it regularly.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat and dry, dark, tightly woven fabrics when outside during daylight hours.
Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UVA/UVB protection.

It’s also important to check your skin regularly for changes such as new growths or spots, and tell your doctor if he notices anything suspicious.

If a person is certain they have it, identifying the type and stage of cancer and treating it early can help improve the long-term outlook.

Non-melanoma skin cancer

This type includes:

Angiosarcoma (a cancer that forms in the lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels)
Basal cell carcinoma
B-cell lymphoma
T-cell lymphoma.
Tuberous dermatofibrosarcoma ( a very rare type of skin cancer )
Merkel cell carcinoma ( a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer)
sebaceous carcinoma
squamous cell carcinoma

While these cancers can grow larger and spread beyond the original tumor site, they are not as deadly as melanoma. This tumor accounts for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths.

Risk factors for skin cancer

Certain factors increase the risk. For example, skin cancer is more likely if:

Pre-existing hereditary skin cancers
Exposure to certain substances, such as arsenic compounds, radium, or creosote
Exposure to radiation, for example during certain treatments for acne or eczema
Excessive or unprotected exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, tanning lamps, tanning booths, or other sources
Live or vacation in sunny, warm or high altitude climates
Work outdoors frequently
Previous cases of severe sunburn
Having multiple, large, or irregular moles
Pale or cracked skin
Skin that gets sunburned easily or does not tan
Having naturally blonde or red hair
blue or green eyes
Presence of cancerous skin growth
Having a weak immune system, eg from HIV
Undergoing an organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive drugs (and immunosuppressive drugs are drugs that reduce or block the activity of the body’s immune system., and are used in certain cases).

Complications of skin cancer

Possible complications of skin cancers include:

Recurrence, so that the previous patients have cancer again
Local recurrence, in which cancer cells spread to surrounding tissues
Metastasis, where cancer cells spread to muscles, nerves, or other organs in the body

If someone is infected, the risk of reinfection elsewhere is significant. If skin cancer recurs in a person previously infected, treatment options will depend on the type, location and size of the cancer, and the health and history of previous treatment for skin cancer.

How can I book for skin cancer treatment in Türkiye?

Free medical support on the phone: You will have a dedicated representative for your health condition who is always ready to answer your questions.
Free consultation with a specialist doctor: Your medical representative will consult with a number of doctors and hospitals to find the best possible treatments.
Free travel visa arrangement: We will contact the embassy in your country to assist you in obtaining a visa to visit Türkiye.
Free itinerary planning: We will create a schedule for your medical trip to Türkiye.
Free translation of documents and reports: We will translate medical documents and reports into Turkish on your behalf.
Free support and monitoring: We will monitor the stages of treatment and be by your side every step of the way.
Free instant translation: We will be with you during the treatment stages to provide translation between you and the medical team.
Free accommodation and transportation coordination: We will book accommodation for you and your companions in Türkiye, along with transportation services.

Contact REHABTÜRK doctors for more information about the procedure and to evaluate your medical condition.

Request a Free Consultation.