According to the American Cancer Society, more than 6 million Americans have skin cancers. Symptoms of skin cancer vary depending on your particular cancer and its location on your skin. The common types of skin cancer Kingwood you can get are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell cancer often develops in areas of your skin affected by excessive sun exposure, such as your face, neck, hands, and arms. If you have brown or black skin, basal cell cancer appears like a brown or glossy black tumor with a rolled border.
Melanoma, the less common and most severe type of skin cancer, develops inside the cells that produce melanin. Melanin is a substance your body has to give your skin, eye, and hair pigmentation. Also called malignant melanoma, melanoma can appear anywhere on your skin, including in your throat or nose, and develop from existing tumors or moles on the skin.
Generally, you may not have any signs and symptoms during the early stages of skin cancer. But, if you notice a skin change that does not disappear within a few weeks, refer the matter to your dermatologist. Consequently, below are some common early signs and symptoms of skin cancer that you may experience.
1. An unusual mole
Although melanoma can appear like a regular mole on your skin, there are still many differences between the two. By relying on the ABCDE (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolution) rule, you can establish the difference between melanoma and a typical mole. A melanoma is irregularly shaped, has irregularly shaped borders or edges, and has more than one color, size, and shape.
According to the new guidelines by the Cancer Council, skin cancer diagnosis should also consider the elevation, growth, and firmness of a skin bump or mole. A mole that appears above your skin and is firmer than adjacent skin and enlarging may indicate skin cancer.
Although a new growth on the skin may end up as skin cancer, a bump you have had on the skin since birth may also turn out to be cancerous.
2. Change of skin
If you have had your mole removed recently and the skin on or surrounding the scar shows unusual discoloration, you may be dealing with skin cancer. Cancer extends below the mole’s surface. You may also experience itchiness and oozing, which are associated with skin cancer.
The skin area with cancerous cells may also have long-lasting soreness and scaly, discolored patches. A skin area with cancer may be difficult to moisten and soften even after applying a moisturizer.
Skin cancer may also cause skin discoloration under the toenails and fingernails.
3. Eye melanoma
Melanoma of the eye may lead to poor vision in one eye, a change in the color of the iris, bulging eyes, eye redness, and impaired conjunctiva.
Because eye melanoma may often produce symptoms during the later stages, go for routine eye exams to enable early detection.
Contact Elite Dermatology today to schedule an appointment with a skin cancer specialist.
