Skin Cancer, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Medical Centric

16 Feb 202106:25

Summary

TLDRThis video discusses skin cancer, highlighting three main types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. It explains their development, risk factors, symptoms, and diagnosis methods. The video also covers treatment options, emphasizing early detection for better outcomes and the importance of sun protection and avoiding artificial tanning beds.

Takeaways

📝 Skin cancer is a cancer type that arises from the skin, often developing in sun-exposed areas but can also form on non-sun-exposed skin.
📚 There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.
📚 Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) includes basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, with BCC being the most common, accounting for about 80% of NMSC cases.
📚 Basal cell carcinoma typically grows slowly and is unlikely to spread or become life-threatening, while squamous cell carcinoma is more likely to spread.
📚 Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, which can develop anywhere on the body from melanocytes and can be cured if detected early.
📚 Melanoma is the least frequent but can be deadly if untreated, causing 55,000 deaths worldwide in 2012.
📝 People with fair skin, especially those in South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, have the highest rates of melanoma.
📝 The primary environmental cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure, but other factors like smoking, HPV infections, ionizing radiation, and immunosuppressive medications also contribute.
📝 Risk factors for skin cancer include fair skin, history of sunburns, excessive sun exposure, moles, family history of skin cancer, weakened immune system, and exposure to certain substances like arsenic.
📝 Symptoms of skin cancer can include painless raised areas, hard lumps, changes in moles, dark lesions on palms or soles, and scar-like lesions.
📝 Diagnosis involves skin examination and biopsy, and treatment options range from simple removal to more complex therapies like chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, depending on the cancer's size, type, and stage.

Q & A

What are the three major types of skin cancer mentioned in the script?
-The three major types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.
What is the difference between non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and melanoma?
-Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) includes basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are less likely to spread and cause death. Melanoma is more aggressive, can develop anywhere on the body, and if left untreated, can spread to other parts of the body and may lead to death.
Which type of skin cancer is the most common and what percentage of NMSC does it account for?
-Basal cell carcinoma is the most common, accounting for about eighty percent of non-melanoma skin cancer.
How likely is squamous cell carcinoma to spread compared to basal cell carcinoma?
-Squamous cell carcinoma is more likely to spread compared to basal cell carcinoma.
What are some risk factors for developing skin cancer other than sun exposure?
-Other risk factors include smoking, tobacco use, HPV infections, ionizing radiation, use of artificial tanning beds, immunosuppressive medications, certain genetic syndromes, fair skin, a history of sunburns, excessive sun exposure, moles, living in sunny or high-altitude climates, family history of skin cancer, a weakened immune system, and exposure to certain substances like arsenic.
What are the symptoms that might indicate the presence of skin cancer?
-Symptoms include a painless raised area of skin that may be shiny with blood vessels, a hard lump with a scaly top, a mole that has changed in size or color, has irregular edges, or bleeds, dark lesions on the palms, soles, fingertips, or toes, and a flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion.
What diagnostic methods are used to determine if changes on the skin are skin cancer?
-A doctor will examine the skin, and if necessary, perform a skin biopsy where suspicious skin is removed and tested in a lab to determine the presence and type of skin cancer.
How are the stages of non-melanoma skin cancer defined?
-Non-melanoma skin cancer stages range from stage 0, where the cancer is confined to the epidermis, to stage 4, where cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and bone or tissue, and the cancer is larger than three centimeters.
What are the treatment options for skin cancer if it is small and limited to the surface of the skin?
-If the cancer is small and limited to the surface, removing the cancerous growth through a skin biopsy may be the only treatment required.
What are some additional treatment options for skin cancer beyond simple removal?
-Additional treatment options include cryosurgery (freezing with liquid nitrogen), excisional surgery, Mohs surgery for larger, recurring, or hard-to-treat skin cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, and biologic immunotherapy for melanomas.
What are some biologic immunotherapy agents used for treating melanomas?
-Biologic immunotherapy agents used for treating melanomas include ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab.

Outlines

00:00

🌞 Understanding Skin Cancer

This paragraph discusses skin cancer, a disease that originates from the skin and is often linked to sun exposure. It details three primary types: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. BCC is the most common, usually slow-growing and unlikely to metastasize, while SCC is more likely to spread and can occur in less sun-exposed areas of dark-skinned individuals. Melanoma is the most aggressive, originating from melanocytes and capable of developing anywhere on the body. Early detection and treatment are crucial for melanoma, as it can be fatal if untreated. The paragraph also covers environmental and lifestyle factors contributing to skin cancer risk, such as UV radiation, tobacco use, HPV infections, ionizing radiation, and immunosuppressive medications. It also mentions genetic syndromes and other risk factors like fair skin, sunburns, and a family history of skin cancer.

05:01

🏥 Diagnosing and Treating Skin Cancer

The second paragraph focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. It explains that doctors examine the skin for signs of cancer and may perform a skin biopsy to confirm the presence and type of skin cancer. The stage of cancer is determined by how much it has spread, which guides treatment decisions. Treatment options vary based on the size, type, depth, and location of the lesions and may include simple removal, cryosurgery, surgical excision, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy. The paragraph specifically mentions immunotherapy agents such as Epileum, Pembrolizumab, and Nivolumab. It concludes with a call to action for viewers to like, share, and subscribe to the channel for more health-related content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a malignant growth or tumor that develops from the skin cells. It is primarily caused by damage to the DNA in skin cells, often due to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. In the video, skin cancer is the central theme, with a focus on its different types and their impacts on health.

💡Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It arises from the basal cells, which are found in the lower layers of the epidermis. The video explains that BCC usually develops in sun-exposed areas and grows slowly, being less likely to spread compared to other types.

💡Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer, originating from squamous cells found in various parts of the body. The script mentions that SCC is more likely to spread than BCC and can occur in areas not ordinarily exposed to sunlight, particularly in people with darker skin shades.

💡Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops from melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing the pigment melanin. It is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and can metastasize quickly if not treated early. The video highlights that melanomas can develop anywhere on the body and are more likely to be fatal if untreated.

💡Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC)

Non-melanoma skin cancer is a collective term for skin cancers that do not involve melanocytes, primarily BCC and SCC. The video script notes that these types of skin cancers are less likely to result in death compared to melanoma.

💡Ultraviolet Radiation

Ultraviolet radiation, often abbreviated as UV, is a type of electromagnetic radiation from the sun that can cause damage to skin cells, leading to skin cancer. The video identifies UV radiation as the primary environmental cause of skin cancer.

💡Risk Factors

Risk factors are attributes, conditions, or exposures that increase the likelihood of developing a disease or condition. In the context of the video, risk factors for skin cancer include fair skin, a history of sunburns, and exposure to UV radiation.

💡Diagnosis

Diagnosis in the context of the video refers to the process of identifying whether changes on the skin are indicative of skin cancer. It involves methods like skin examination and biopsy to confirm the presence and type of skin cancer.

💡Treatment

Treatment options for skin cancer are discussed in the video and include various methods such as skin biopsy, cryosurgery, excisional surgery, and immunotherapy. The choice of treatment depends on factors like the size, type, and depth of the cancerous lesion.

💡Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps the body's immune system fight cancer. The video mentions biologic immunotherapy agents such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab as treatments for melanoma.

💡Prevention

Although not explicitly mentioned as a keyword in the script, prevention is a key concept in managing skin cancer. It involves采取措施 to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, such as avoiding excessive sun exposure and using protective measures like sunscreen.

Highlights

Skin cancer arises from the skin and mostly develops in sun-exposed areas.

There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.

Basal cell skin cancer is the most common, accounting for about eighty percent of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Squamous cell skin cancer is the second most common and is more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma.

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and can develop anywhere on the body.

Melanomas can be cured if detected and treated early, but if left untreated, they can lead to death.

In 2012, melanoma resulted in 55,000 deaths worldwide.

White people in South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia have the highest rates of melanoma.

The primary environmental cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure.

Other factors contributing to skin cancer include smoking, HPV infections, ionizing radiation, and immunosuppressive medications.

People with fair skin, a history of sunburns, and a family history of skin cancer are at higher risk.

Symptoms of skin cancer include painless raised areas, hard lumps, changing moles, and dark lesions.

Diagnosis of skin cancer involves a skin exam, biopsy, and imaging tests to determine the stage of cancer.

Treatment options depend on the size, type, depth, and location of the lesions and may include surgery, cryosurgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

For small and limited skin cancers, a skin biopsy may be the only treatment required.

Biologic immunotherapy agents such as ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab are used for treating melanomas.

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