Skin Cancer: Symptoms and Treatment

Skin cancer often causes no symptoms in the early stages and is therefore often detected late. Preventive care at the doctor is therefore all the more important to recognize the symptoms in time and to start early treatment. What are the signs of skin cancer and what is the therapy, you can learn here.

Symptoms of skin cancer

Skin cancer usually does not cause any discomfort at first, at most itching and bleeding in the corresponding area can be symptoms or signs of skin cancer. That is, skin cancer is usually noticed only by the visible and possibly palpable skin changes, not by other symptoms. Only in the late stage of skin cancer or a melanoma can there be symptoms and signs depending on the affected organs due to metastasis. Therefore, early detection of skin cancer is important, even though there is not a wide range symptoms of skin cancer.

What does skin cancer look like?

The visible symptoms of skin cancer depend on the type of cancer:

  • Malignant melanoma (black skin cancer): usually dark or black spots, although other colors are possible (for example, gray, reddish, or bluish-purple). They can be flat as well as raised or wart-like nodules. Many people find it difficult to distinguish black skin cancer from moles or birthmarks. However, a dermatologist or experienced family doctor can tell the difference mist.
  • Basal cell carcinoma (also basal cell carcinoma): this type of white skin cancer (also: light skin cancer) can take very different forms. It is often reddish or skin-colored nodular tumors, the edge of which may be raised like a string of pearls and the center of which may sink in as the skin cancer progresses. Small blood vessels often show through the skin. Bloody crusts may also form. Less commonly, the typical skin nodules do not form, but rather flat, scarred skin lesions that are difficult to recognize as tumors.
  • Spinalioma (also squamous cell carcinoma): In the early stages, this form of white skin cancer looks like its precursor, actinic keratosis. Often, a spinalioma appears as a keratinized, scaly spot or nodule. As it progresses, the area is often bloody and firmly “caked” to the skin.

Skin cancer often occurs in areas that are exposed to the sun a lot, such as the head, arms, back, chest or legs. Detect skin cancer – these pictures show how!

Skin cancer screening: look closely, pat down thoroughly

For all forms of skin cancer applies: the earlier skin cancer is detected, the better the chances of cure. From the age of 35, the health insured in Germany is entitled to a skin check every three years for skin cancer screening to prevent skin cancer. However, it is better if you also keep an eye on your skin and the symptoms of skin cancer. Preliminary stages of skin cancer can also be detected and palpated. Look out for skin changes, new moles or changes in existing moles. Itching and bleeding are also suspicious for skin cancer. Examine your skin regularly, preferably in daylight and with the help of a mirror (or your partner).

Skin cancer: for prevention, the ABCDE rule.

Follow the ABCDE rule when assessing for a suspicious mole:

  • Asymmetry: shape that is not uniformly elongated or round, but uneven.
  • Border: edges that are not sharp, but blurred and rough, like frayed
  • Color: color that is not uniform, but mottled (pink, gray, black, dotted, crusty overlays).
  • Diameter: size that exceeds 5 mm at the widest point.
  • Raised: spots that protrude more than 1 mm above the skin level or have a rough, scaly surface

If at least one of these points applies to a mole, you should see a doctor to rule out a malignant tumor or skin cancer. Better once too much, than too late. And the most important preventive measure against skin cancer is to avoid direct and intense sunlight and always protect yourself from sunburn with sunscreen, headgear and clothing! Then skin cancer has only a small chance.

White skin cancer: treatment and therapy

White skin cancer often develops from a preliminary stage – the so-called actinic keratosis.It can be surgically removed (excision), iced (cryotherapy), treated with creams or gels (Solaraze, Aldara) or treated with light irradiation (photodynamic therapy). A basal cell carcinoma almost never forms metastases, a spinalioma only very rarely. However, if left untreated, the tumors can grow into the surrounding tissue and destroy it. Therefore, in the case of white skin cancer, a small operation, performed as early as possible, in which the affected part of the skin is cut out, is usually sufficient to cure the skin cancer patient. Early stages on the surface may also be treated with cream or photodynamic therapy. If surgery is not possible, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation therapy are also used.

Treatment: black skin cancer

Black skin cancer (melanoma) is more dangerous because this form of skin cancer can rapidly spread daughter tumors throughout the body via the lymphatic or blood vessels. Therapeutically, the tumor is also removed in surgery; however, due to metastases, other forms of therapy may often follow for this skin cancer: Immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation. These forms of therapy are also used when surgery is not possible or appropriate.