Types of skin cancer and their appearance
Over 1,350,000 new cases of
skin cancer will be diagnosed in Americans in 2001. Most cases are preventable and for those that do occur, many are treatable. One type of skin cancer,
malignant melanoma, is often lethal. Reducing exposure to the sun and
ultraviolet radiation is the cornerstone of prevention. Regular skin examination is the key to early detection and cure. FAA policy on medical certification of pilots with skin cancer depends on the type of cancer and extent of disease.
Types of skin cancer
Skin cancer is generally divided into two major categories:
melanoma and
non-melanoma skin cancers. There are several sub-groups of malignant melanoma, and two major types of non-melanoma skin cancers:
basal cell carcinoma and
squamous cell carcinoma. Bowen’s Disease is considered an early form of squamous cell carcinoma. Other non-melanoma skin cancers make up less than 1% of all skin cancers.
Appearance and characteristics
Basal cell carcinomas have a similar appearance to pale moles or are described as smooth, usually symmetric, wart-like bumps. They may be flesh coloured, pale or reddish, often with fine blood vessels visible. Occasionally, there may be ulceration of the basal cell carcinoma. A definite edge to the carcinoma is usually visible with stretching of the lesion.
Squamous cell carcinomas generally begin as flat areas of scaling and redness of the skin. Pre-cancerous lesions, called actinic keratoses, will have a hard white scale
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