by Bernadette Adkins

Created on: January 05, 2009

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. But, how do you know if you have it? We all have freckles, moles, dots, spots of various shapes and sizes, but should you be concerned? Symptoms of skin cancer can include:

Any change in the skin

A mole that is small, shiny and translucent or waxy in appearance

A mole that is red

A sore that won't heal

A mole or freckle that becomes red, itches or bleeds, or has irregular edges compared to other freckles or moles on your body

Pain may be associated with the area, but usually not

Not all skin cancers are obvious, and the changes taking place can happen so slowly we may not notice them. That is the very reason everyone should check themselves at least monthly for any changes in their skin. Remember to check not only yourself but also your spouse, significant other, children, parents and the list goes on. If you notice a suspicious spot on someone else tell them.

OK, You've Found a Suspicious Spot. Now What?

The first step to take is to see your primary care physician (PCP). You may need a referral to a dermatologist, although some PCP's may choose to perform a biopsy in their office. Having a skin biopsy in a PCP's office is commonplace use caution if the spot is on or near the face. That may be the time to request a referral to a specialist and stick to your guns! Most small biopsies heal without much of a scar but why take the chance? That being said The size and location of the suspicious area will determine when, where and who performs the biopsy. Types of biopsies include:

Punch Biopsy a small plug of the abnormal skin is removed with a special hollow instrument.

Incisional Biopsy a portion of the growth is removed with a scalpel.

Excisional Biopsy the entire growth and some surrounding tissue is removed with a scalpel.

Shave Biopsy a sharp instrument is used to scrape off some or all of the abnormal tissue.

Once the biopsy is performed, it will be sent to a lab for evaluation by a pathologist. The pathologist will evaluate the sample to determine if it contains cancerous cells and if so, the type of cancer.

Once a diagnosis is made, you and your physician will discuss the best treatment for your particular type of cancer.

Sources:

CDC;Cancer - Basic Information about Skin Cancer
National Cancer Institue; What You Need To Know About Skin Cancer - National Cancer Institute

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