Skin cancer is a widely spread disease in which abnormal skin cells in skin tissues grow unusually. Their growth is uncontrolled, sometimes causing serious issues. Skin cancer may be caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, but it also has other causes. Before moving towards that, let’s have a look at the history of skin cancer. Throughout history, you will see that skin cancer has been a major health issue, but recent advancements in its treatments have improved skin cancer management.
Skin cancer has a history dating back to ancient civilizations because there are many proofs of skin cancer details and remedies in that era. In ancient Egypt, around 1500 BCE, Ebers Papyrus treated skin cancer with herbs and other things. In ancient Greece, around 400 BCE, Hippocrates provided details about a type of skin cancer that may be called “melanoma” and provided treatment in the form of surgery. In ancient Rome, around about 100 CE, Galen described skin cancer, its remedies, and treatments in the form of surgical removal and cauterization. In the Middle Ages, around 500-1500 CE, skin cancer was treated with herbs. In the 18th and 19th centuries, there was more research on skin cancer; different studies revealed different facts, including those of French dermatologist Jean-Louis Alibert. Radiation to treat skin cancer began at the start of the 20th century. Awareness about skin cancer and its treatment using radiation therapy increased in the mid of the 20thcentury. In the late 20th century, surgical treatment for skin cancer was developed, i.e. Mohs surgery. In the 20th century, there are more advancements in skin cancer research: diagnostic techniques such as dermatoscopy and confocal microscopy, as well as treatments including immunotherapy and targeted therapy, have improved skin cancer treatments.
Major Types of Skin Cancer:
There are many types of skin cancer, which are as follows:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. Almost 80% of skin cancer patients have this type of disease. It mostly occurs due to exposure of skin to sunlight. It appears as a pearly, waxy bump, flat, flesh-coloured, or brown scar-like lesion.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer, with almost 20% of patients suffering from it. It occurs due to exposure to sunlight and appears as a firm, red nodule or a flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface.
- Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It appears as a mole that changes in colour, size or bleeds.
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC): This is a rare but aggressive type of skin cancer. It is a painless, flesh-coloured, or blush-red nodule growing on the skin.
- Kaposi Sarcoma (KS): This type of skin cancer is caused by a virus. It appears as red or purple patches on the skin’s mucous membranes.
- Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma (SGC) is also a rare type of skin cancer. It usually appears as hard, painless nodules.
- Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP): This is not common skin cancer. It occurs rarely. It is in the form of reddish-brown plaque.
- Angiosarcoma is a dangerous but rare type of skin cancer. It usually appears as a bruise-like lesion or a red, raised patch.
Main Causes of Skin Cancer:
Some of the main causes of skin cancer are as follows:
- Exposure of skin to sunlight, especially if you have sunburn and blisters.
- Ultraviolet radiation from the sun or beds destroys the DNA of your skin.
- Skin cancer also affects those who do not have a strong immune system, have any organ transplanted, or fighting any other severe disease such as HIV.
- It also attacks on those mostly with a family history of skin cancer.
- Some chemicals like coal tar, soot, creosote, petroleum products, shale oils, and arsenic are the most common causes of skin cancer.
- Some skin conditions, such as solar keratosis, psoriasis, eczema, and Gorlin syndrome, are also causes of skin cancer.
- Skin may also affected by radiation therapy.
- There is also an inherited genetic condition in which the skin makes no melanin, Albinism, which causes skin cancer.
- A person with a previous skin cancer history may also affected again.
Symptoms of Skin Cancer:
Some symptoms of skin cancer are as follows:
- New or Unusual Growth: A new bump that rises on your skin and does not vanish may be a symptom of skin cancer.
- Changes in Size, Shape, or Color: Bumps of a person with skin cancer may change in size, colour, or shape from time to time.
- Bleeding or Oozing: Moles of persons with blood cancer start bleeding or oozing.
- Scaly or Rough Skin: A person with skin cancer has scaly and rough skin.
- Pain or Tenderness: A part of skin damage with cancer is always pain or tenderness.
- Itching or Burning: A person with skin cancer always has itching and burning.
- Ulcers or Sores: Skin cancer patients have ulcers or sores.
- Colour Changes: The colour of the skin changes with this disease, i.e., it lightens or darkens.
- Transparency or Shine: Bumps that appear are transparent and shiny.
- Elevation: Lesions raised above the surrounding skin.
Treatments of Skin Cancer:
Some major therapies for skin cancer are given as follows:
- Freezing: In this treatment, cancerous cells are destroyed by liquid nitrogen.
- Curettage and Electrodessication: In this treatment, cancer cells are scraped away, and then an electric needle is used to damage the remaining cells.
- Excisional Surgery: In this surgical treatment, cancerous tissues from the skin are removed, but some healthy tissues may also be removed.
- Mohs Surgery: After removing the damaged skin layer by layer, examine each layer under a microscope until no abnormal cells are left.
- Radiation Therapy: Removal of cancerous cells by the use of radiation.
- Chemotherapy: In chemotherapy, drugs are used to remove cancerous cells. For top-layer cancers or cancer that has spread, chemotherapy may be in the form of cream or lotion.
- Photodynamic Therapy: Removal of cancerous cells using laser light and drugs.
- Biological Therapy: In this treatment, the body’s immune system destroys the cancerous cells.
Natural Remedies for Skin Cancer:
Some natural remedies can be used for the treatment of skin cancer along with medical treatments. However, keep in mind one thing: these natural remedies can never be the replacement for medical treatment. Each natural remedy has its own safety profile and effectiveness. So, consult with your healthcare professional before using these remedies. Some natural remedies for skin cancer are as follows:
- Turmeric contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Green Tea is also used to treat cancer, as it contains compounds called catechins that can damage cancerous cells.
- Make sure the excessive intake of Vitamin C helps in spreading skin cancer cells.
- Garlic can also be useful for preventing cancer as it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Skin cancer patients may also use aloe vera as it heals the wound and reduces inflammation.
- Graviola has potential anti-cancer properties.
- Vitamin E has strong antioxidant properties and plays an important role in skin health.
- Ginger also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.