Symptoms on the nose
Skin cancer develops mainly in places that are frequently exposed to sunlight. These are above all: especially the white skin cancer with its subtypes of basal cell carcinoma and spinalioma, develops in these parts of the body. In the early stages, it shows itself as a slightly reddened spot, which may also be raised, but in many cases only flat.
As the disease progresses, the white skin cancer becomes increasingly encrusted and in many cases begins to bleed. If such changes appear on the nose, this is in urgent need of clarification. The first choice measure for the prevention of white skin cancer on the nose or other parts of the body is simple: light protection.
Sunscreen is not only recommended for people with fair skin type. Anyone who is exposed to the sun’s rays for long periods or regularly should protect their skin with sunscreen. In this context, special attention should be paid to sufficient protection of the facial region.
- Forehead
- Cheeks
- Bald
- Ears or also the
- Nose
Birthmark/liverspot
Moles or liver spots (pigment nevi) are usually benign growths of the pigment-producing skin cells, the melanocytes. However, the word birthmark is also used as an umbrella term for benign pigmentation disorders caused by red blood vessel cells, yellow sebaceous gland cells or other types of cells. Especially in Austria, Bavaria and Switzerland, the word birthmark is used synonymously for liver spots.
Birthmarks and liver spots can be both congenital and newly formed in the course of life. The number of moles a person has is on the one hand genetically determined; on the other hand, the time spent unprotected in the sun as a child plays a decisive role.Pigmentation disorders can also occur temporarily during pregnancy. Although moles are usually benign changes of the skin, they can also degenerate and develop into skin cancer.
Particularly dangerous are pigmentation disorders that change in shape, size and color. The ABCD(E) rule (see above) provides an aid for the detection of malignant melanomas in particular. People who develop many moles are particularly at risk of developing skin cancer.
People with known cases of skin cancer in their family also have a higher risk of developing skin cancer and should control their skin particularly carefully. Basaliomas are located on the skin mainly centrofacially, i.e. in the region of the face from forehead to upper lip (80% of cases). Slightly less frequently this skin cancer is found in the lower half of the face or the upper forehead (15%).
The growth is slow within months to years and locally destructive, i.e. destroying the surrounding structures. Compared to spinaliomas, basaliomas develop more slowly. A metastasis of this skin cancer (spreading of the cancer cells) almost never occurs, which is why basaliomas are also called semi-malignant (“semi-malignant”).
The incipient form of this skin cancer usually presents itself as a skin-colored knot of a coarse consistency with a pearl-like border wall and small vascular dilatations (telangiectasia). There are several different forms of the skin cancer “basal cell carcinoma”, which partly deviate from the typical appearance:
- Solid basal cell carcinoma
- Cicratizing basal cell carcinoma
- Sclerodermiform basal cell carcinoma
- Pigmented basal cell carcinoma
- Superficial basal cell carcinoma
- Exulcerative basal cell carcinoma
- Destructive basal cell carcinoma
- Special form = metatypical basal cell carcinoma
This skin cancer is located on the mucous membranes or transitional mucous membranes (lips, tongue, anal region, vulva, penis) and in sun-exposed areas such as the head, neck, arms and hands. As with basal cell carcinoma, the growth is destructive, but the time can vary more (weeks to years).
Metastasis occurs mainly via the lymphatic system (lymphogenic) and only rarely via the bloodstream (hematogenic). Regarding the form, the skin cancer “spinalioma” is rather inconspicuous. This type of skin cancer looks skin-colored to brown, has a firm consistency and can have a keratinizing surface.
The changes are not painful, but can become nodular or exudate in the course of time. The skin cancer “malignant melanoma” is most frequently found on the back, face, rear forearms and in women also on the lower leg. All other body regions can also be affected by this skin cancer.
Malignant melanomas grow invasively and initially flat (horizontal), in the course of time nodular in depth (vertical). Metastasis of this skin cancer usually occurs early on via both the blood (hematogenic) and lymphatic pathways (lymphogenic). The daughter tumors of this type of skin cancer settle mainly in other parts of the skin or subcutaneous tissue, lymph nodes, lungs, liver, brain and bones.
Malignant melanomas can be recognized with the help of the ABCD rule: they are asymmetric (A = asymmetry), blurred (B = limitation), pigmented to different degrees (C = coloration) and have a size over 5mm (D = diameter). In addition, itching and spontaneous bleeding may occur. This type of skin cancer is divided into 4 different types: This topic might also be of interest to you: Mobus Bowen- a preliminary stage of skin cancer
- Superficially spreading malignant melanoma: 65% of cases; peak in 50-year-olds; localization mainly in sun-exposed areas; color light brown to black, rarely also gray or white; shape first flat, later nodular
- Primary nodular malignant melanoma: 15% of cases; peak in 55-year-olds; occurs mainly in light-exposed areas of the body; rapid aggressive growth; color dark brown to black
- Lentigo-maligna melanoma: 10% of cases; peak in 68-year-olds; localization mainly on the face and back of the hand; rather slow growth; color dark brown to black; shape flat and large with a diameter of 2 to 6 cm; begins as precancerosis “Lentigo maligna
- Acrolentiginous malignant melanoma: 45% of cases; peak in 63-year-olds; occurs on the nail bed and acra; color black; shape nodular
