Cutaneous T-cell LymphomaĬutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL), also known as mycosis fungoides, is a rare type of skin cancer in which certain cells of the blood, called T-lymphocytes or T-cells, become cancerous (malignant) and invade the skin. If you have your skin checked annually, SCC’s can be detected and treated early on, before there is any risk of metastasis. SCC’s are usually easily diagnosed by a dermatologist. SCC’s can metastasize, which means they can spread to other organs in the body, and approximately 7 cases per 1000 may be fatal. Sometimes they appear as a non-healing sore, and they can also resemble warts.
SCC’s can appear in many different clinical forms but are frequently seen as quickly growing, palpable, scaly, and sometimes scabby, thick spots on the skin. These skin cancers usually develop in areas most frequently exposed to the sun such as the face, neck, arms, and hands. SCC’s are also associated with chronic sun exposure in fair-skinned individuals, but they can also develop in people with a weakened immune system, such as individuals who have undergone organ transplants and are being immunosuppressed.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer. It is becoming more common, possibly because of the decrease in the ozone layer, which is allowing more ultraviolet radiation from the sun to reach the Earth’s surface. In the vast majority of cases, it is thought to be caused by chronic exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is the most common form of cancer worldwide but luckily it is also the most benign behaving cancer known to man. BCC very rarely, if ever spreads to other parts of the body, but it can cause significant local destruction and be disfiguring if not treated early. Basal Cell Carcinomaīasal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer which develops in the deepest layer of the epidermis, also called the “basal layer. They are considered “pre-cancerous” because if left untreated, they can progress to a type of invasive skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, which can be fatal. Taking decades to develop, they usually appear on the face, lips, ears, scalp, neck, forearms, and back of the hands, which corresponds to the areas most commonly exposed to the sun. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.Īffecting more than 10 million Americans, Actinic Keratosis (AKs) are a common skin condition characterized by rough, red, scaly patches, crusts or sores on the skin’s surface. Melanoma is also completely curable when detected early, but can be fatal if allowed to progress and spread. Basal Cell and Squamous Cell cancers are curable. These three cancers account for nearly 100% of all diagnosed cases.
There are three main types of skin cancer - Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages, which is imperative to curing it. Since most skin cancers develop in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, a tumor is usually clearly visible. Skin cancer is a condition where skin cells grow and multiply without control, and in a disorganized fashion creating a “growth” or tumor. He and his Physician Assistant, Caroline Harvey, understand the importance of taking care of your skin and protecting it from the harmful effects of the sun. Ciro Martins is a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers.