Skin Cancer and Its Classification

Skin cancer has been considered the deadliest and the most common form of human cancer.  In general, the most common form and considered serious and malignant is melanoma.  This is so because it has the tendency to spread rapidly throughout the body.  The tumor starts at the melanocytes.  It is found in the outer layer of the skin which gives the skin its colors. 

The skin has two main layers and numerous kinds of cells.  The top layer contains three kinds of cells such as squamous cells, round cells called basal cells and cells called melanocytes.  Melanin helps out in protecting the deeper layers of the skin from the harmful effects of the UV rays of the sun.  Skin cancer sets on when the growth of the cells is uncontrollable.

Melanoma is a skin disease found in the cells that color the skin.  This generally happens in adult but there are occasions that children and teens are affected.  This is the more serious type of skin cancer.  But if diagnosed early on it still can be cured.  On the other hand, in later stages the spread can be quick to other parts of the body via the lymph system or through the blood.  Cure by then can be less.  Telltale signs include change in the size, shape, color of the mole; discharges or

bleeding from a mole; or a mole that feels itchy, hard, lumpy, swollen, or tender when touched.  Women usually get melanoma on the legs and arms while the men generally have melanoma on the area of the body between the shoulders and hips.

If you have many moles, irregular moles, or big moles you are highly at risk of developing melanoma.  Heredity is also a contributing factor to pick up the disease. While people who have freckles and easily get burned are also at risk of developing the skin cancer.   At risk also are people who are overexpose to the heat of the sun. 
The effects of UV rays from the sun are damaging and there is evidence it can lead to melanoma.

Malignant melanoma is categorized into four main types.  They are superficial spreading melanoma, modular melanoma, lentigo maligna melanoma and acral melanoma.   The most common type is superficial spreading melanoma.  While modular melanoma a much less common form, begins as an elevated up lesion that have a dark blue-black or bluish-red color.  This form of melanoma cancer accounts for 15% of cases.  Lentigo maligna melanoma normally grows on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and/or around the toenails.  While the most uncommon type, acral melanoma can happen on the vulva and vagina.

Treatment of this type of skin cancer depends on the classification of melanoma cancer, its location and its stage.  The most commonly used treatments are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.   Interferon is used after surgery sometimes.  This is to prevent melanoma from recurring.  But early detection and prompt removal is still the best treatment.  But prevention is still better than a pound of cure.  Stay awy from intense heat as much as possible.