In Russia, skin cancer occurs in 10% of the total incidence of malignancies.
risk are people over 65 years old, equally men and women.
In 2002. the death rate from skin cancer totaled 3 100 000 - this figure is one of the lowest among all malignancies.
factors of development
The most important factors that influence the emergence and development of skin cancer:
- too strong and prolonged exposure to the sun on the skin
- the local impact of chemical compounds with carcinogenic properties (arsenic, lubricants, tar);
- according to some ionizing radiation may also be attributed to the factors contributing to the development of skin cancer;
- such skin damage Koroto lead to scarring. Skin scarring process may trigger the development of malignant processes.
A particularly important factor in the development is the availability of precancerous skin diseases.
Symptoms of Skin Cancer
The main manifestations of skin cancer depends on its specific type.
Basal cell carcinoma (basal cell carcinoma) It is more than half of all skin cancers. Tumor develops slowly and does not give metastases. Basal cell carcinoma can invade surrounding tissue, thereby destroying them. In 90% of cases of basal cell carcinoma located on the face.
Photo: site of the Department of dermatology Tomsk Military Medical Institute
squamous cell carcinoma less common. Unlike basal cell carcinoma, the tumor can occur on any part of the body, not only on the face. Squamous cell carcinoma is prone to metastasize. In 6% of cases of metastasis may affect nearby lymph nodes. Also, in rare cases, it affects the lungs and bones. The occurrence of adenocarcinoma of the sweat and sebaceous glands is also possible, but even rarer.
Photo: site of the Department of dermatology Tomsk Military Medical Institute
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is based on the approved list of measures for patient examination. Staging is performed according to the International Clinical TNM classification system (1997).
To establish a diagnosis of cancer of the skin is necessary to pass survey.
Skin Cancer Treatment
In accordance with established disease stage, there are several Standard regimens skin cancer.
For treatment use the following methods:
- ray;
- surgical;
- drug;
- cryosurgery;
- laser photocoagulation.
The choice of treatment depends on the histological structure of the tumor, stage of disease, the clinical form and location of the tumor.
radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is effective in skin cancer at a stage of treatment of the primary tumor and local metastases. Radiation therapy is effective in this case for the reason that by means of radiation damaged cell structure. This leads to the fact that the cells cease to divide and die.
Surgery
Surgical intervention is also used on the stage of treatment of the primary tumor and local metastases. This method of treatment for skin cancer used in the following cases:
- in case of recurrence after radiation therapy
- if skin cancer developed on the site of the scar
- if the primary tumor is large enough in size, surgical treatment is used as an element of combined treatment
Surgical treatment is the excision of the tumor. The surgical treatment of skin cancer on his face, the principles of plastic surgery. If the tumor has metastasized to the lymph nodes, it shows the operation to remove them.
Chemotherapy
The local chemotherapy (0.5% omainovaya, prospidinovaya, 5-fluorouracil ointment) is shown in the case of small size tumors and relapses in basal cell carcinoma. If chemotherapy using drugs that prevent or promote proliferation of the tissue irreversible damage to cancer cells.
Laser destruction and cryotherapy
These methods are recommended for tumors of small size. In the treatment of skin cancer near the bone or cartilage destruction laser and cryotherapy is preferred.
photodynamic therapy
If the basal cell carcinoma localized in the eyes or nose, it gives positive results Photodynamic therapy (PDT), since other treatments may adversely affect the lens of the eye and nasal cartilages. Surgical treatment of basal cell carcinoma in this area is difficult due to the complexity of the subsequent plastics.
The basic principle of photodynamic therapy is reduced to what is administered to the patient photosensitive substance (the photosensitizer), and after some time (up to 3 days) is irradiated with light of a specific length. Under the influence of the processes caused by the reaction of irradiation on the administration of the substance, the diseased cells are destroyed. An important advantage of PDT is that healthy cells are not exposed to the negative impact. Photodynamic therapy may be repeated many times in relapsed without side effects on the body.
The prognosis for treatment
Factors affecting the efficiency of the treatment of skin cancer:
- stage of the disease
- especially tumor tissues storoenie
- tumor size
- the presence of metastases
Skin cancer patients of stages 1 and 2 are cured with proper treatment in 100% of cases (Chissov B. I., 2002).
prevention
Reduce the probability of its occurrence is possible, subject to the following rules:
- timely detect and treat precancerous skin conditions
- to control exposure to the intense sun
- when working with radiation sources to follow safety
- Be careful measures when working on the production of chemicals (pesticides, plastics, pharmaceuticals)
- personal hygiene in the interaction with substances household chemicals.
This article is based on materials from the book "Oncology", AM 2006, the author - Sh.Kh. Gantsev Dr. med. Sciences, Professor, Honored Scientist of Russia.
Read also:
- Precancerous skin disease
- Hair matrix carcinoma
- squamous cell carcinoma
- Survey of suspected skin cancer
- Standard treatment of skin cancer