Does Skin Cancer Always Mean Having Melanoma?

Skin cancer - one of the most debilitating cancers that there is. One of the more common myths about skin cancer that goes unnoticed is that skin cancer is synonymous with melanoma. But does skin cancer always mean melanoma? No. Skin cancer does not necessarily mean melanoma. Melanoma refers to one type of skin cancer, and several other types of cancer are not melanoma.

Our country has more than a million cases of skin cancer per year. The Northeast remains the hot pocket of skin cancer in India, with around 5.14 cases per 100,000 males and around 3.98 cases per 100,000 females, according to JCRT. Melanoma is quite prevalent in the North, registering 1.62 cases per 100,000 males and 1.21 cases per 100,000 females. So you can see that skin cancer and Melanoma are quite different regarding demographics. Having established the difference, let’s dive deeper into the question to understand what they are.

Melanoma vs Non-melanoma skin cancer?

Melanoma refers to a kind of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes, which are the cells that produce melanin. Melanoma is more likely to spread to other body parts than other varieties of skin cancer. If treatment isn’t done, it can spread rapidly to other body parts. Melanoma develops from existing moles or skin changes and needs prompt diagnosis and treatment.

The latter refers to a group of skin cancers that develop in skin cells other than the melanocytes. Non-melanoma skin cancer is more prevalent than melanoma and includes Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC). These are slow-growing cancers with a high cure rate, especially when detected early.

The three main types of skin cancer are

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC):

The most common type of skin cancer. A type of skin cancer, it starts in the basal cells - a kind of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as the older ones die. Basal cells are tiny round cells in the base of the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin.

Basal cell carcinoma happens because of a combination of sun exposure and genetic factors. Long-term UV exposure is the principal cause of basal cell carcinoma. Changes to tumour suppressor genes can also cause out-of-control cell growth.

Drinking arsenic-contaminated water or medication can increase the risk of getting basal cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC):

Accounts for about one in three cases of skin cancer. This kind of skin cancer can happen in the skin, mouth, nose, throat, sinuses and other body parts. It may appear as a firm bump, an open sore, a scaly patch, or a bleeding and crusty wart.

Squamous cell carcinoma happens because of exposure to sunlight, radiation, chemicals, or genetic factors. Smoking also increases your risk of having squamous cell carcinoma, especially on the lips.

Melanoma:

It is the least common type of skin cancer but the most dangerous and deadly. Melanoma - is a dangerous skin cancer type originating from melanocytes - the cells that produce melanin. It may appear as a fresh spot or change in an existing mole or freckle.

Melanoma happens primarily due to UV radiation, which can damage skin cells, making them grow abnormally. It can happen if you have a number of moles, especially atypical moles, or fair skin, light eye or hair colour, and freckles.

A New Growth-

Any new spot, bump or growth on the skin could be a sign of skin cancer. This could be anything, either a mole or something else that can potentially turn into a tumour. Any new growth on your skin is not to be ignored.

A Change in a Mole

If any mole that you currently have changes in size, shape, colour or texture, it could be a symptom of skin cancer.

A Sore

If you have a persistent sore that doesn’t heal within four weeks and bleeds, crusts and scabs instead, this could be a sign of something much worse.

A Red Patch

If you have a red, rough or scaly patch that could crust or bleed, check it.

A Wart-Like Growth

If you have a growth on your skin that resembles a wart, then it could be trouble.

An Ulcer

If some part of your skin breaks down and refuses to heal within four weeks, then this could be a sign of skin cancer.

Bump

If you suddenly spot a pearly or waxy bump on your face, neck or ears, don’t ignore it.

Your melanoma treatment will depend on what stage it is in and your general health. Usually, surgery is the way to go. A surgeon will cut out the cancer and some of the normal skin around it.

Usually, surgical excision (removal) of melanoma can happen under local anaesthesia in the office of the dermatologist. However, if you need advanced treatment, something else must be done.

Melanoma surgery

When the cancer is in its early stages, surgery can cure it. The dermatologist will do this in their office. First, they will numb the skin using a local anaesthetic and get rid of the melanoma and margins (healthy surrounding skin). Removing the cancerous skin tissue means excising the tumour and the margin of healthy skin.

Lymphadenectomy

If the melanoma has spread, the doctor might need to remove the lymph nodes near the primary diagnosis site to prevent the spreading of the cancer to other areas of the body. This is done when cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

The doctor will either perform a sentinel lymph node biopsy or a complete lymphadenectomy. This helps to find out how far the cancer has spread.

Metastasectomy

This is a procedure that removes small bits of melanoma from organs. This is an effective treatment option for someone with stage IV melanoma. It can improve overall survival and disease control for those with end-stage melanoma. A total surgical resection of metastatic disease is considered the best bet for better survival.

Targeted cancer therapy

Here, the doctor will prescribe drugs that will target particular cancer cells. This approach goes after cancer cells exclusively, leaving the healthy cells untouched. This treatment depends on drugs or other substances to focus on specific molecules in cancer cells.

It stops signals that encourage cancer cells to grow and divide. Either small-molecule drugs or monoclonal antibodies are used in some cases. Targeted therapy is used by itself or in conjunction with other treatments.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy depends on high doses of radiation to change the DNA of cancer cells, changing how they divide. It can be used to shrink tumours, control symptoms, or relieve pain. External radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and arc-based radiotherapy are also available.

Immunotherapy

In this form of treatment, your immune system is stimulated to fight the cancer. Immunotherapy is a biological therapy using substances from living organisms to fight cancer.

Some types include checkpoint inhibitors, which break the connection between checkpoint proteins and other proteins, preventing T cells from turning off and killing cancer cells.

Dark-Skinned People Aren’t Affected

Anyone can get skin cancer; the skin tone doesn’t matter. In fact, skin cancer is worse in people who are dark-skinned because it gets diagnosed much later.

You Don’t Get Sunburned on a Cloudy Day

Sadly, around 80% of UV rays can go through clouds and cause skin damage. Whether cloudy or sunny, the damage is happening.

A Tan Protects You From Sunburns and Skin Cancer

Tans are signs of skin damage, and tanning more will only increase your risk of getting skin cancer.

No Sun = No Sunscreen

The UV rays of the sun can damage your skin at any given time of the year. Apply sunscreen because you never know when those UV rays might affect you.

You Get Enough Vitamin D From the Sun

You need to consume fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin D so you don’t have to stand for hours in the sun to produce enough vitamin D.

Makeup Protects Your Skin

If the makeup has 30 SPF sunscreen, then it protects your skin. However, you have to reapply this throughout the day for it to be even slightly effective.

Skin Cancer Is Untreatable

If detected early, skin cancer can be treated, and you can live a happy and full life. Don’t wait for the end stage to get it treated. Rush to a dermatologist if you see the first signs of skin cancer.

In conclusion, skin cancer is treatable. If you think that you are showing some signs of skin cancer, it is better to get it checked by a specialist. If you have a bump, ulcer, wart-like growth or some growth on your skin, then you need to get it checked immediately. Stay healthy and remain cancer-free.

I spend a lot of time in the sun. Am I going to get skin cancer?

If you spend a lot of time in the sun and are exposed to harmful UV rays, you might be at risk of getting skin cancer.

Is melanoma treatable?

Yes, melanoma is treatable. Even in its end stage, melanoma can be treated with medicines.

I have enough vitamin D. Will I still get skin cancer?

Even if you have absorbed a lot of vitamin D, however, if you are exposed to harmful UV rays, you can get skin cancer.

Will my foundation protect my skin?

Makeup, unless it has an SPF of 30, cannot protect your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer.

Do I need to apply sunscreen all the time?

Applying sunscreen can protect you from skin cancer. However, if you are indoors, you do not need to apply sunscreen.