Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer found in humans. It occurs mainly in fair-skinned people with a family history of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is a disease in which the cancer cells appear on the basal cells of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. It is estimated that approximately one million Americans are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma each year.

Basal cell carcinoma usually appears on the face, ears shoulder and neck where the skin is exposed to sunlight. However, it can also appear on other parts of body such as the abdomen, leg, and scalp exposed to sun's ultraviolet rays. BCC, if untreated, can damage the skin and cause an ulcer known as a rodent ulcer. In few cases, contact with arsenic, exposure to radiation, open sores, lesions that do not heal, inflammatory skin conditions, and complications of burn scars, infection, vaccination, or even tattoos are contributing factors.

This type of cancer is characterized by small tumors in its early stage that can be cured with simple surgeries. However, neglected it can invade vast areas of skin. These types of cancers can also spread along the bones, cartilages, muscular tissues and more rarely, nerve tissue. Some tumors may eventually extend to eye or brain or become large enough to disfigure entire face. Very few basal cell carcinomas spread to distant organs or metastasize.

It is usually diagnosed with a skin biopsy (where tissue is taken for pathological analysis) is done using local anesthesia. Small basal cell carcinomas are removed with electrodessication and curettage method while larger basal cell carcinomas are removed by standard surgical excision. This carcinoma present on the head, scalp, face, neck, ears is treated by Mohs surgery or Mohs micrographic surgery.



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Skin cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found on the epidermis (the outermost layers of skin) so the tumor is usually clearly visible. There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

The most common symptoms of any type of skin cancer include changes in the skin that do not heal within 4 weeks, a spot or sore that continue to itch, blood, discolored skin, and changes in existing moles such as ragged, notched or blurred edges of mole or enlargement of mole.

Signs and symptoms of Basal cell carcinoma: Basal cell carcinoma usually looks like a small, slow growing shiny pink or red lump. Sometimes small blood vessels can be seen within the tumor. They usually appear on face, scalp, ears and shoulders. If left untreated, they tend to bleed frequently. This form of skin cancer is least deadly and with proper treatment, it can be completely cured within short period of time.

Signs and symptoms Squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma is usually pink, thickened patch on sun-exposed skin. If left untreated, it tends to become crusty, ulcerate or bleed and it may develop into large mass. Squamous cell is second most common skin cancer; it is fatal but not as fatal as melanoma.

Signs and symptoms of Melanoma: Most melanomas are brown to black looking lesions with irregular border. Signs that might indicate a malignant melanoma include change in diameter, shape, color or elevation of a mole. Other signs are the appearance of a new mole during adulthood on trunk, neck or head or pain, itching, inflammation, ulceration or bleeding in existing mole.



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Skin doctors promote regular self examination of skin because research shows that self-skin exam can lead to early detection of skin cancer. Skin cancer detected and treated in its early stages is 95 percent curable disease. Even melanoma one of the most deadly form skin cancer if detected and treated early is highly curable.

Self examination for skin cancer means checking your own skin every three to six months for any abnormal growth or unusual changes in the size, color, shape or texture of your skin. It is important for you or your partner to look carefully whole body as skin cancer can occur anywhere. Be sure to check your back head, face, scalp, elbow, arms, underarms, palms, soles and skin between soles and palm. Use a mirror to examine hard-to-see areas such as your back, buttocks and genitals.

When you perform skin self-exam, look for new skin markings (moles, blemishes, colorations, bumps). Note changes on your skin, such as color or texture of your skin or mole that have changed in size, texture, color, or lesions that bleed continuously and will not heal. Look for small lumps or mass that are smooth glossy and waxy, or red or reddish brown. Be alert to flat red spots that are rough or scaly and have diameter larger than 3 millimeters. You can also maintain a diary or a journal to keep notes of skin changes.

The self-skin exam takes no more than 8 to 10 minutes, but that 10 minutes could save your life. The best time to do self-skin exam is at the time of taking bath or after a shower. If you are concerned about developing any form of skin cancer, consult your primary health care provider or dermatologist as soon as possible.



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An innovative study by US medical researchers at the Ohio State University (OSU) has revealed that stress amplifies the progression of malignant melanoma, a particular form of skin cancer. Malignant melanoma is one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer that is becoming increasingly common worldwide.

After two years of research, medical researchers came to a conclusion that there is a link between stress hormones and cancer. The stress hormone, norepinephrine also known as "flight or fight" hormone, produces enzyme that stimulates blood vessels to grow in melanoma tumors, accelerating the progression and spread of tumors, the researchers explained. These findings were published in the February 2009 issue of the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity.

A research team including Eric V. Yang a research scientist at Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research (IBMR), and Ronald Glaser, a professor of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics observed effects of stress hormone, norepinephrine on three different types of proteins released by melanoma cells -1) Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); 2) Interleukin-6 and; 3) Interleukin-8 all proteins active in growth of tumors.

The three malignant tumor cells lines, i.e. VEGF, intereleukin-6 and interleukin-8, were introduced to the norepinephrine and all the three showed increase in levels expressed, particularly in the most advanced line which showed a 2000 percent increase in levels of interleukin-6 thus establishing the fact that stress has worse effect on aggressive and advanced stage malignant melanoma.

The researchers believe their findings would help slow down the progression of malignant melanoma and offer new hope for prolonging the lives of patients suffering with advanced stage malignant melanoma.



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You might not realize it yet, but exposing yourself unprotected to the sun can lead to different types of skin cancer. That stubborn itch or redness can be something more than just an irritation. It's important that you arm yourself with the right knowledge, so you won't have any regrets later on.

If you live in a tropical country, you have a greater chance of getting different types of skin cancer. Of course, this doesn't automatically mean that countries located away from the equator are exempted. As long as you have skin and are exposed to the sun, it's better to learn as much as you can.

1) Basal Cell Carcinoma

Among the different types of skin cancer, Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common. It starts from the basal layer of the skin-the deepest layer of your epidermis. You can just imagine how deep the sun's UV rays can reach your skin!

While normally not dangerous, Basal Cell Carcinoma can take different forms. Sometimes, it can even be confused with psoriasis. This type of skin cancer normally occurs in sun-exposed parts of the body like the face and neck.

2) Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. It is usually found on sun-exposed parts of the body.

Compared to Basal Cell Carcinoma, this type has a higher risk of metastasis-the spread of a disease from one part of the body to another. Symptoms include ulcer, a reddish plaque and even cyclical bleeding from the tumor (usually on the lip). Squamous Cell Carcinoma can also lead to head and neck cancer.

3) Melanoma

Children, males and Caucasians have a higher risk of getting Melanoma. While considered one of the rare types of skin cancer, this accounts for 75% of skin cancer related deaths. Symptoms include moles that grow to 6mm, melanomas (usually black but can be multi-colored), asymmetrical skin lesion and irregular border of lesion.

These are the three different types of skin cancer. They are usually caused by overexposure to the sun or UV rays. If you are fair-skinned or are exposed to the sun for most of the day, don't forget to slather on some sun block before leaving the house.




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If you have a skin mole on your arm or leg or body now or maybe you have a few of them or even many of them you may be wondering what does a cancerous mole look like. And is it melanoma? I'll show you how to tell if that mole on your arm, leg or body is cancerous.

Of course anyone who has a mole may be worried that they have a cancerous mole. That they have malignant melanoma or a skin cancer, but many people go through a lifetime with dozens of moles and do not get malignant melanoma. Never-the-less one always wonders but there is a good way to evaluate and decide for yourself whether you should have a doctor take a look at your mole or moles right now. Of course if you're in the doctor's office for anything else you can always have them take a look at your moles.

For many years doctors have always preached the rule of ABCD. A mole could be melanoma if it's A for asymmetrical (uneven), B for the borders are irregular (not smooth), C for variation in color, and D for the diameter - which would have to be larger than the eraser on a pencil. But a couple of years ago or so the doctors who invented the ABCD rule decided to add a third letter- E. The E stands for evolving; the evolving means the mole is changing over a period of time. The cancerous mole or skin cancer can change in size, shape and color. And new symptoms of bleeding and itching can develop.

Any changing mole or lesion should be a cause for concern and should be checked out right away. Most moles do not change their size shape, color and symmetry. You would be able to tell there is something different going on.

In tests the doctor inventors of the ABCDE rule discovered that people with melanoma had as many as 70% of their lesions evolving. So if you have a changing mole you need to get checked out now. You are the one that is going to notice your mole changing or skin cancer first. If you have any of the signs of A, B, C and D and it in not evolving you still need to get your moles checked out for there is a good possibility it's melanoma.

An evolving mole is a big concern. So see your doctor if you have any of these signs of skin cancer or cancerous moles. If you catch melanoma early you will be able to treat it effectively. Don't wait. It can sneak up on you. Melanoma is systemic; it is not confined to the area on your skin. Your immune system and body will be involved. Your doctor will decide on whether to remove the mole or not. It doesn't hurt to do all the research you can so you'll know exactly what to look for and know what questions to ask your doctor when you do go in.




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Skin cancer of the legs, ankles, and feet are some of the most overlooked cancers.

They are found in locations where most people consider skin cancers unlikely. Over 90% of skin cancers appear on sun-exposed skin, usually found on the face, neck, ears, forearms, and hands, but an alarming number are also found in the legs, ankles, and feet.

Why does sun cause skin cancer? Overexposure to sunlight damages the top layer, or epidermis of the skin. The most dangerous skin cancer is called melanoma, meaning a tumor of pigment producing cells. Melanomas can spread early to the lungs, liver, and brain making it a rapidly fatal cancer. It is expected that something over 8,500 people will die from skin cancers this year! Most melanomas can be cured with early diagnosis and treatment.

Squamous Cell Carcinomas occur commonly on the forehead, lips, and hands but they can be found on the arms hands, legs, and feet. These cancers can spread and early diagnosis and treatment is critical.

Basal Cell Carcinomas rarely spread to distant structures, but, if untreated, can destroy large portions of the face, scalp, nose, ears, and vast areas of skin. They can result in gross disfigurement if not treated early. Fair-skinned people are at greater risk for these cancers.

My heartfelt advice:

1. Please, have your moles and skin lesions checked. To put off doing so could be fatal. Ask your primary care physician or dermatologist to do a yearly skin check, all over. Don't be modest about this. Your life could be at stake. I routinely check patients for suspicious moles and lesions on their legs, ankles, and feet. You need at least a yearly check-up with your podiatrist.

2. Use sun blocks to protect exposed skin, even in winter and don't forget your legs and feet if they will be exposed!

3. Learn the ABCDs of skin cancer:

Asymmetry - The sides don't match.

Border - It looks uneven or ragged.

Color - It has more than one color. These colors may have an uneven distribution.

Diameter - They appear wider than a pencil eraser. Also, look for ulceration, craters, donut-shaped edges, bleeding, or slow healing if the lesion is ulcerated. Any mole on the toes or the bottom of the foot is suspicious. If you notice a mole on a friend or family member that meets any of these criteria, gently encourage them to get it checked "to be safe".



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