SKIN CANCER RECONSTRUCTION
Skin cancer is the most common form of
cancer the United States. More than 500.000 new cases are reported each year—and the incidence is
rising faster than any other type of cancer. While skin cancers can be found on any part of the body, about
80 percent appear on the face, head, or neck, where they can be disfiguring as well as dangerous.
Who gets skin cancer, ..and why
The primary cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation—most often from the sun, but also
from artificial sources like sunlamps and tanning booths. In fact, researchers believe
that our quest for the perfect tan, an increase in outdoor activities, and perhaps the
thinning of the earth's protective ozone layer are behind the alarming rise we're now
seeing in skin cancers.
Anyone can get skin cancer—no matter what your skin
type, race, or age, no matter where you live or what you do. But your risk is greater if ...
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Your skin is fair and freckles easily. |
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You have light-colored hair and eyes. |
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You have a large number of moles, or moles of unusual size or shape. |
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You have a family history of skin cancer or a personal history of blistering sunburn. |
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You spend a lot of time working or playing outdoors. |
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You live closer to the equator, at a higher altitude, or in any place that gets intense, year-round sunshine. |
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You received therapeutic radiation treatments for
adolescent acne. |
Types of skin cancer. By far the most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. Fortunately, it's also the least dangerous kind-it tends to grow slowly, and rarely spreads beyond its original site. Though basal cell carcinoma is seldom life-threatening, if left untreated it can grow deep beneath the skin and into the underlying tissue and bone, causing serious damage (particularly if it's located near the eye).
Squamous cell carcinoma is the next most common kind of skin cancer, frequently appearing on the lips, face,
or ears. It sometimes spreads to distant sites, including lymph nodes and internal organs. Squamous cell
carcinoma can become life threatening if it's not treated.
A third form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, is the
least common, but its incidence is increasing rapidly, especially in the Sunbelt states.
Malignant melanoma is also the most dangerous of type of skin cancer. If
discovered early enough, it can be completely cured. If it's not treated quickly, however, malignant melanoma may
spread throughout the body and is often deadly.
Other skin growths you should know about
. Two other common types of skin growths are moles and keratoses.
Moles are clusters of heavily pigmented skin cells, either flat or raised above the skin surface. While most pose no
danger, some—particularly large moles present at birth, or those with mottled colors and poorly defined
borders—may develop into malignant melanoma. Moles are frequently removed for cosmetic reasons, or because
they're constantly irritated by clothing or jewelry (which can sometimes cause pre-cancerous changes).
Solar or actinic keratoses are rough, red or brown, scaly patches on the skin. They are usually found on areas
exposed to the sun, and sometimes develop into squamous cell cancer.
Recognizing skin cancer.
Basal and squamous cell carcinomas can vary widely in appearance. The cancer may begin
as a small, white or pink nodule or bump; it can be smooth and shiny, waxy, or pitted on
the surface. Or it might appear as a red spot that's rough, dry, or scaly ... a firm, red lump
that may form a crust ... a crusted group of nodules ... a sore that bleeds or doesn't heal
after two to four weeks ... or a white patch that looks like scar tissue. Malignant melanoma is usually signaled by a change in
the size, shape, or color of an existing mole, or as a new
growth on normal skin.
Watch for the "ABCD" warning signs of melanoma:
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Asymmetry—a growth with unmatched halves; |
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Border irregularity—ragged or blurred edges; |
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Color—a mottled appearance, with shades of tan, brown, and black, sometimes mixed with red, white, or blue; |
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Diameter—a growth more than 6 millimeters across (about the size of a pencil eraser), or any unusual increase in size. |
If all these variables sound confusing, the most
important thing to remember is this: Get to know your skin and examine it regularly, from the top of your head to the
soles of your feet. (Don't forget your back.) If you notice any unusual changes on any part of your body, have a
doctor check it out.
Choosing a doctor. If you're concerned about skin cancer, your family physician is a good place to start. He or she should examine your skin at your annual physical, and can refer you to a specialist if necessary. If you notice an unusual growth yourself, consult a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist. Both are skilled at diagnosing and treating skin cancer and other skin growths. A plastic surgeon can surgically remove the growth in a manner that maintains function and offers the most pleasing final appearance—a consideration that may be especially important if the cancer is in a highly visible area. If a treatment other than surgical excision is called for; the plastic surgeon can refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Diagnosis and treatment. Skin cancer is diagnosed by removing all or part of the
growth and examining its cells under a microscope. It can be treated by a number of methods, depending on the
type of cancer, its stage of growth, and its location on your body. Most skin cancers are removed surgically, by a plastic
surgeon or a dermatologist. If the cancer is small, the procedure can be done quickly and easily, in an
outpatient facility or the physician's office, using local anesthesia. The procedure may be a simple excision, which
usually leaves a thin, barely visible scar, or curettage and desiccation may be performed. In this procedure the
cancer is scraped out with a special instrument and the area is treated with an electric current to control bleeding
and kill any remaining cancer cells. This leaves a slightly larger, white scar. In either case, the risks of the
surgery are low.
If the cancer is large, however, or if it has spread to
lymph glands or elsewhere in the body, major surgery may be required. Other possible treatments for skin
cancer include cryosurgery (freezing the cancer cells), radiation therapy (using x-rays), topical chemotherapy (cancer drugs applied to the skin), and Mohs
surgery: a special procedure in which the cancer is shaved off
layer at a time. (Mohs surgery is performed only by specially trained physicians and often requires a
reconstructive procedure as follow-up.)
Discussing your options and concerns.
All of the treatments mentioned above, when chosen carefully and appropriately, have good cure
rates for most basal cell and squamous cell cancers—and even for malignant melanoma, if it's caught very early, before it's
had a chance to spread.
You should discuss these choices thoroughly with your
doctor before beginning treatment. Find out which options are available to you ... how effective they're likely to
be for your particular cancer ... the possible risks and side effects ... who can best perform them ... and the aesthetic
and functional results you can expect. If you have any doubts about the outcome, get a second opinion from a
plastic surgeon before you begin treatment.
A word about reconstruction.
The different techniques used in treating skin cancers can
be life saving, but they may leave a patient with less than pleasing cosmetic or functional results. Depending on the
location and severity of the cancer, the consequences may range from a small but unsightly scar to permanent
changes in facial structures such as your nose, ear, or lip.
In such cases, no matter who performs the initial treatment, the plastic surgeon can be an important part of the
treatment team. Reconstructive techniques—ranging from a simple scar revision to a complex transfer of tissue
flaps from elsewhere on the body—can often repair dam-
aged tissue, rebuild body parts, and restore most patients to acceptable appearance and function.
Preventing a recurrence. After you've been treated for skin cancer, your doctor should schedule regular follow-up visits to make sure the cancer hasn't recurred. Your physician, however, can't prevent a recurrence. It's up to you to reduce your risks by changing old habits and developing new ones. (These preventive measures apply to people who have not had skin cancer as well.)
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Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and during the summer months. Remember, ultraviolet rays pass right through water and clouds, and reflect off sand and snow. |
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When you do go out for an extended period of time, wear protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves. |
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On any exposed skin, use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Apply it liberally, about an hour before you go out) and reapply it frequently, especially after you've been swimming or sweating. |
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Finally, examine your skin regularly. If you find
anything suspicious, consult a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist as soon as possible. |