Skin cancer of the face

In the face, forms of the white skin cancer occur preferentially. The two subtypes of white skin cancer are the spinalioma and the basalioma and have their origin in the degenerated cells of the uppermost skin layer (epidermis). Both types are typically located in the head and facial area.

The spinalioma can be recognized by the fact that it preferentially develops in the areas exposed to the sun.This includes especially the lower lip, the bridge of the nose, the lower eyelids and the earlobes. In most cases, these spinaliomas develop from preliminary stages, the so-called sun warts, which can develop over many years of exposure to the sun. These sun warts, which manifest themselves in the preferred areas of the face, are conspicuous by a reddish, slightly scaly change, which, however, does not cause any complaints.

In most cases, patients only report a slight itching on the affected facial area. If this solar wart then develops into a spinalioma, a clearly increasing keratinization and nodular skin changes can be observed. Another form of white skin cancer, the basal cell carcinoma, is also predominantly located in the facial area.

It is most frequently found on the bridge of the nose. Typical for the basal cell carcinoma of the face is a small, bright, shiny lump. In most cases these nodules are surrounded by small veins.

In the middle of the nodule a dent can develop from which it can bleed. It is also noticeable that they grow very slowly and destructively. The surrounding tissue is often also affected and destroyed. However, it does not form metastases, which are deposited in other organs.

Skin cancer of the head

Black skin cancer can affect all parts of the body, but is often localized in particularly obscure places, such as the genital area or even on the scalp. A melanoma of the scalp is often discovered later than a freely visible change in other parts of the body. Since skin cancer causes no pain, it is often discovered very late on the scalp by thick, dense hair.

In most cases, the disease is already well advanced at the time of diagnosis and has already formed metastases. The melanomas of the scalp are usually conspicuous by the fact that they increase in size in the advanced stage, begin to itch and possibly bleed or secrete secretions. Since the scalp is well supplied with blood, there is a high risk of cancer cells spreading to the brain and other organs.

If the skin cancer has already metastasized, the prognosis decreases significantly. It is also noticeable that black skin cancer that manifests itself on the scalp has a significantly higher risk of re-growth at the same site. In most patients, a new growth returns within a short time after removal of the tumor. The location of the tumor at the back of the head is particularly unfavorable.