Skin signs warning of cancer

Moles that increase in size, have uneven color, and appear as spots, bumps, or sores that do not heal for more than two weeks are warning signs of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is a condition in which skin cells grow abnormally. If not treated promptly, skin cancer cells spread to surrounding tissues and invade lymph nodes.

MSc. Dr. Doan Minh Trong, Head and Neck Unit, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said there are three main types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Each type of skin cancer has different signs.

Basal cell carcinoma appears in areas of skin that are frequently exposed to sunlight, such as the face, neck, arms, back, etc. Lesions are often found in the form of raised, light pink or red bumps that may contain blood streaks that are easily visible to the naked eye. In other cases, lesions are flat, keratotic, and scaly.

Squamous cell carcinoma presents as flat, red, pinkish, or brown, scaly, horny lesions.

Squamous cell carcinoma can develop into an ulcer. In the early stages, this type of cancer can be cured completely through minor surgery. In cases of late detection or delayed treatment, squamous cell carcinoma spreads to other parts, affecting the patient's health, making treatment difficult and costly.

Unusual moles or spots or bumps on the skin can be a sign of cancer. Photo: Freepik — Unusual moles or spots or bumps on the skin can be a sign of cancer. Photo: *Freepik*

Melanoma is less common than basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma but is highly dangerous.

Melanoma colors are not the same, on the same tumor but there are dark areas, light areas or many other colors such as brown, black, light pink, tan, white. The tumor border is jagged, the structure is not round, not symmetrical. Melanoma size increases rapidly, spreading to surrounding skin areas.

Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, but is most common on the chest, back (men) and legs (women). Less common locations include the face and wrists.

Dr. Minh Trong recommends that patients should go to a hospital with a Head and Neck Unit for examination when they have unusual moles or spots, bumps, or ulcers that do not heal for more than two weeks. Some moles that have been present since birth or formed during life suddenly increase in size, have uneven color, become scaly, or swell, and should also be examined.

Nguyen Tram

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