Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are abnormal, uncontrolled growths that arise from the skin's basal cells in the outermost layer of skin (epidermis) Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common type, usually appears on sun-exposed areas like the face and neck, shoulders and back. Around 75 out of every 100 non melanoma skin cancers (around 75%) are BCCs. Intermittent, intense and cumulative, long-term exposure to UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds causes most BCCs. BCC often shows as a small pearly bump or a pink, non-healing patch that bleeds easily. Can be locally destructive if not detected and treated early. Occasionally these cancers metastasize (spread) and in very rare instances they can be fatal. Early detection is key, as BCC is highly treatable in early stages. Approximately 75,000 basal cell carcinomas of the skin are diagnosed each year.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is a common skin cancer caused by long-term sun exposure. It usually appears on sun-exposed areas and can vary in aggressiveness. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells arising from the squamous cells in the outmost layer of skin (epidermis). SCCs are common on sun-exposed areas such as the ears, face, scalp, neck and hands. These are places where the skin often reveals signs of sun damage, including wrinkles and age spots. Cumulative, long-term exposure to UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds causes most SCCs. SCCs can sometimes grow rapidly and metastasize if not detected and treated early. Early detection is crucial, as SCC is treatable when found in time. Approximately 25,000 squamous cell carcinomas of the skin are diagnosed each year

Melanoma

Melanoma is a skin cancer that begins in melanin-producing cells, which give color to the skin, hair, and eyes. Melanomas often resemble moles and sometimes may arise from them. They can appear on any area of the body, even in areas that are not typically exposed to the sun. Melanoma is often triggered by the kind of intense, intermittent sun exposure that leads to sunburn. Tanning bed use also increases risk for melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous of the three most common forms of skin cancer. 86% of melanoma skin cancer cases are preventable. Early detection is crucial, as melanoma is highly treatable when caught in time. Approximately 13,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year in UK

Acral lentiginous melanoma

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is the least common subtype of melanoma diagnosed overall, accounting for 2–3% of melanoma diagnoses. While uncommon in general, ALM is the most common subtype of melanoma in darker skinned populations, accounting for 40–60% of melanoma diagnoses in Asian and African-American ethnicities. It is the least common subtype of melanoma in Caucasian populations. Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) may appear as a black or brown area of skin, in hard-to-spot places including under the nails (subungual) and on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands. Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) usually arises de novo, but there are rare reports of acral melanoma arising from a pre-existing melanocytic naevus. The cause of ALM is not fully understood. Unlike other subtypes of melanoma, sun exposure does not appear to be a risk factor for its development, however, there are rare case reports demonstrating an ultraviolet signature as in other types of cutaneous melanoma.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

T cell lymphoma of the skin can also be called primary cutaneous lymphoma. It's a type of non Hodgkin lymphoma. T-cell lymphoma most commonly affects the skin, causing rash-like patches or plaques that grow or spread, itching, lumps on the skin and sometimes even tumors. The disease can also involve the blood, lymph nodes and internal organs. It can be difficult to identify and may require multiple biopsies at different stages of development to get a correct diagnosis. There are a number of different types of treatment for this type of cancer.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)

Unlike common skin cancers that arise from cells in the outermost layer of skin, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an extremely rare cancer that arises from cells in the deepest layer of the skin, known as the dermis. While DFSP is slow growing and rarely spreads (metastasizes) to distant areas of the body, it has a high rate of local recurrence. What does it look like? DFSP can look like an ordinary scar, cyst or bruise. It can develop anywhere on the body but is most commonly found on the arms, legs or torso. Over time, it can grow to become a large lump under the skin. The tumor grows slowly but can penetrate deep into the dermis and infiltrate the fat and surrounding tissue.

Kaposi's sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma is a rare condition. It's often associated with HIV but also occurs in people who don't have HIV. It's a cancer that starts in the cells that form the lining of lymph nodes and the lining of blood vessels in the skin. Treatment is surgery or radiotherapy, and sometimes chemotherapy.

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC)

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare malignant sweat gland tumor that commonly occurs on the head and neck. MAC has a predilection for the central face but may be found although it may be found on the trunk, axilla, extremities, and genitals. MAC is characterized by its slow growth but local aggressiveness

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)

Merkel cell carcinoma is very rare. Treatment is with surgery or radiotherapy, or both. This usually works well, but sometimes the cancer can come back in the same place. And sometimes it spreads to nearby lymph nodes or to other parts of the body

Sebaceous carcinoma

Sebaceous gland carcinoma is a very rare type of skin cancer. It starts in the sebaceous glands. These are the glands that produce our natural skin oils. There are sebaceous glands all over our bodies. So this type of cancer can be diagnosed anywhere in the body. But the most common site is the upper eyelid. Sebaceous gland carcinoma is very rare. Just over 700 people were diagnosed with it in England between 1999 and 2008

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma and Atypical fibroxanthoma

Atypical fibroxanthoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, or pleomorphic dermal sarcoma, are rare malignant cutaneous neoplasms existing along a clinicopathologic spectrum. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas are rare soft tissue tumors that often arise from cells known as fibroblasts, in the dermis. This type of tumor often occurs in older men. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas can occur anywhere on the body. They can grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body. Superficial tumors were once known as atypical fibroxanthomas, and deeper, more advanced tumors were called malignant fibrous histiocytomas. Surgery remains gold standard in management; tumor extirpation with complete margin control is critical. In the high-risk tumor cohort, comprehensive evaluation and multidisciplinary management is paramount for optimal outcomes

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD)

Extramammary Paget's disease (EPMD) is a rare disease that frequently presents in areas where apocrine sweat glands are abundant, in the armpits or around the anus and genitals. The condition is related to Paget's disease of the breast. This very slow-growing cancer sometimes takes years to become noticeable. Sometimes, can look like a persistent, irritating rash that resembles eczema and does not respond to topical treatments.

Lentigo malign

Lentigo maligna is a slow-growing subtype of melanoma in situ that commonly develops on chronically sun-damaged skin, particularly in older adults. It most frequently affects the head and neck region, posing unique diagnostic challenges due to its ability to clinically and histopathologically resemble benign pigmented lesions, such as solar lentigines or seborrheic keratoses. The major risk factor for developing lentigo maligna and LMM is ultraviolet radiation (UVR), particularly cumulative lifetime exposure

In-situ squamous cell carcinoma

Bowen's disease It's also called squamous cell carcinoma in situ. It's a slow growing pre cancerous lesion, a very early form of squamous cell skin cancer. If left untreated, there is a small chance that Bowen's disease can spread into the deeper layers of the skin becoming an invasive cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Like squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease can grow anywhere, but it is most common on the: head and neck, trunk, arms, legs.

Understanding Photoaging

Wrinkles, fine lines and pigmentation are inevitable skin woes that often appear as we age. While we like to place blame on getting another year older, the main culprit is photoaging — damage to the skin caused by exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light. Responsible for 90 percent of visible changes to the skin, photoaging is a direct result of cumulative sun damage you've been exposed to throughout your life. Light is around us at all times, making sun damage a year-round concern for healthy skin. Chronological skin aging can't be helped, but photoaging accelerates the process. "Premature aging of the skin is caused by light exposure. This can also include visible (HEV) and infrared light, which are other parts of the light spectrum." The good news is that it's completely preventable.

Breaking Down the Light Barrier

Skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and the subcutis. The dermis contains collagen, elastin and other fibers that support the skin's structure. It is these elements that give skin its smooth and youthful appearance — and that are damaged by UV radiation. The UV radiation that affects the skin is composed of two different types of waves, UVA and UVB. UVB rays are shorter than UVA rays, and are the main culprit behind sunburn. UVA rays are long wave rays and are responsible for much of the damage we associate with photoaging. UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis, where they damage the collagen fibers, resulting in incorrectly rebuilt skin that forms wrinkles and leathery appearance.

The Evidence

The effects of photoaging can manifest in many ways. "Melasma, freckles, actinic keratoses and texture changes are all signs of photoaging damage." Actinic keratoses (AKs), or precancerous spots, directly correlate to chronic sun exposure, which can increase your chance of developing skin cancer. Textural changes in the form of deep lines, waxiness or a leather-looking appearance can lead to uneven, dull looking skin. Broken blood vessels that exist as redness or blotchiness are another sign of sun damage.

Forever Young

Unlike natural, chronological aging, which is dictated by age and genetics, photoaging depends primarily on the degree of sun exposure and the amount of melanin in the skin. Signs of photodamage begin in the teens to early twenties. Symptoms include: wrinkling, pigmentation changes, loss of skin tone, rough texture, broken capillaries, redness and solar elastosis. Wearing sunscreen every day can do more than prevent skin cancer — it can prevent signs of photoaging as well. Regular use has been shown to keep photodamage at bay for a longer period of time.

Treatment & Prevention

If you're already experiencing some of the above-mentioned signs of photoaging, you'll also want to incorporate skin care products designed to reverse sun damage. Certain ingredients such as vitamin C and E and green tea are antioxidants that stabilize the skin and help brighten dark spots. An antiaging hero, retinol, used nightly, will boost cell turnover to create a healthy and youthful appearance. Laser, IPL, microneedling, exosomes, skin boosters will help you looking good at any stage of your life. There's really no reason for photoaging - We can keep skin looking good for decades if we just take care of it.

Beyond the Sun

While sunlight is the number one cause of skin aging, about 10 percent comes from HEV and infrared light. HEV, or high-energy (blue) visible light, which emits from the sun and devices such as your phone or computer and can be seen by the human eye. This light doesn't stop when the sun goes down. Infrared light is invisible to the eye and rather is felt as heat, like in a microwave. Fortunately, neither of these has been linked to skin cancer, but they have been shown to break down collagen and skin elasticity. In recent years, some research is focusing on the additional effects of these other light forms may have on the skin. According to a 2014 study in the journal Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, non-UV solar radiation significantly contributes to photoaging and needs to be taken into consideration when formulating a skin-protective regimen.