Skin Cancer
Hear Dr. Ebner explain the prevention and treatment of Skin Cancer, Push Play on the Video >>
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer found in the United States. Phoenix, with its unrivaled and unmitigated amount of sunshine, is unfortunately a dangerous place for skin health. Each of us must dedicate ourselves to becoming educated about the prevention and treatment of skin cancer.
The three main types of skin cancer are:
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of all types of skin cancer. About 3 out of 10 caucasians can expect to develop a basal cell cancer. Although it is considered a malignancy, it rarely metastasize or kills. Metastasis is rare, but when neglected, it can invade locally. In 80 percent of all cases, basal cell cancers are found on the head and neck. There appear to be an increase in incidence of basal cell cancer in the trunk in recent years. Even though it is not deadly, it can be locally destructive and disfiguring
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a form of cancer of the carcinoma type that may occur in many different organs, including the skin, lips, mouth, esophagus, urinary bladder, prostate, lungs, Vaginaand cervix It is a malignant tumor of squamous epithelium (epithelium that shows squamous celldifferentiation).
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes which are found predominantly in skin but also in the bowel and the eye (see uveal melanoma). It is one of the rarer types of skin cancer but causes the majority of skin cancer related deaths. Malignant melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer. It is due to uncontrolled growth of pigment cells, called melanocytes.Despite many years of intensive laboratory and clinical research, the sole effective cure is surgical resection of the primary tumor before it achieves a Breslow thickness greater than 1 mm.
Around 160,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed worldwide each year, and it is more frequent in males and caucasians.[3]Â It is more common in caucasian populations living in sunny climates than other groups.[4]Â According to a Reports there are about 48,000 melanoma related deaths occur worldwide per year.
Malignant melanoma accounts for 75 percent of all deaths associated with skin cancer.
The treatment includes surgical removal of the tumor; adjuvant treatment; chemo- and immunotherapy, or radiation therapy.
While skin cancer can occur in anyone, those most susceptible include individuals who:
- spend a lot of time in the sun
- have light colored skin, hair, and eyes
- are over 40
- have a family history of skin cancer