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Skin Cancer Screening
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 1 million new cases diagnosed each year, according to the National Cancer Institute. Fortunately, the most common types of skin cancer can be effectively treated if diagnosed early enough. Skin cancer screening involves a quick and painless examination and is the first step in detecting all types of skin cancer early. Types of skin cancer Basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, often appears as a spot (growth) on the face, ears, scalp, or neck that will not heal. The spot may bleed from even mild trauma, such as drying with a towel. Squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common type of skin cancer, usually affects middle-aged and elderly people. It occurs as a new or enlarging spot that may bleed or cause pain. Melanoma, the third most common type of skin cancer, appears as a new mole or as an existing mole that has changed in size, shape, or pigmentation. The lesion will usually have a ragged border and may bleed, itch, or cause pain. Left untreated, skin cancer may spread on the surface of the skin or to other parts of the body. Basal cell carcinoma tends to grow larger on the skin and spread to the structures underneath, while squamous cell carcinoma may spread to nearby lymph nodes. Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, may spread to the lungs, liver, bones, or brain. Who should be screened? The following factors increase a person’s risk of skin cancer:
Ana Mercedes Ciurea, M.D., an assistant professor in The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Department of Dermatology who performs skin cancer screenings at MD Anderson’s Cancer Prevention Center, recommends that people without risk factors for skin cancer be screened once a year. Those who have risk factors may need to be screened every 6 months. Patients with a history of skin cancer may need to be screened more often, depending on the type of cancer and how long ago it occurred. A physician can advise the best screening schedule to follow. Dr. Ciurea added that people should examine their own skin once a month in the mirror. “We need to get in the habit of looking at our skin and knowing it,” she said. Changes in the skin should be brought to a doctor’s attention. What to expect Screening for skin cancer is a straightforward process. During a routine screening appointment at MD Anderson’s Cancer Prevention Center, the patient first discusses the reason for the visit with a nurse, who shows the patient a brief video about the types of skin cancer. The patient then changes into a hospital gown, and a doctor examines the patient from the top of the head to the soles of the feet, classifying each mole or lesion and explaining its cause to the patient. The doctor may remove growths called actinic keratoses, which are caused by sun damage and sometimes develop into squamous cell carcinoma, by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. At the patient’s request, the doctor may also remove benign moles for cosmetic reasons. A typical appointment takes less than an hour. If the doctor sees a lesion that appears malignant, he or she will most likely remove a small sample for further testing. This can be done during the screening visit and requires only a local anesthetic and a small incision. The specimen will be sent to a pathologist at MD Anderson, who will determine whether the lesion is malignant and, if so, the type of cancer. Results are typically available in 7 to 10 days, and if necessary, a follow-up appointment is scheduled when the patient learns the results. Dr. Ciurea said the patient is provided with a call-back number in case questions arise before the follow-up appointment. Usually, a skin cancer screening will reveal no signs of cancer, giving the patient peace of mind. And when a problem is detected, the screening process has given the patient the best chance of successfully treating a potentially serious condition. —B. Tutt For more information on this topic or for questions about MD Anderson’s treatments, programs, or services, call askMDAnderson at (877) MDA-6789. Other articles in OncoLog, June 2010 issue: Home/Current Issue | Previous Issues | Articles by Topic | Patient Education ©2012 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
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