Cancer Facts and Figures – Cancer Statistics 2010

Radiation treatment for lung cancer is one of the few treatments for curing cancer. Radiotherapy, as it is sometimes called, involves using high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells safely and effectively. It is used to cure, control or relieve symptoms of lung cancer tumors.

This radiation can be external or internal:

1) External beam radiation therapy involves a radiation delivery machine focusing a beam of radiation on the precise location of the tumor on your body for an exact amount of time.

2) Internal radiation, also called brachytherapy, involves placing radioactive material into or near the tumor. Thin plastic tubes are placed into the nose and into the airways where the tumor is located. Then a brachytherapy machine is connected to the tubes and used to deliver a dose of radiation by placing, for a short period, a tiny radioactive source near the lung tumor. 

There is a rule, called the ABCDE rule that is used to find skin cancer spots. The rule is described below:

1. A – asymmetry – Moles or freckles without any cancerous elements will be symmetrical on both sides. Skin cancer spots don’t look the same on both sides.

2. B – border – moles or spots with blurry jagged edges may have skin cancer cells.

3. C – color – Moles having more than one color should be shown to a doctor. Normal moles are usually only one color.

4. D – diameter – If the size of the mole is more than 6mm it should be shown to a doctor. Even if none of the other abnormalities are present.

5. E – elevation – It means that the mole is raised above the skins surface and has an uneven surface itself.

Facial skin cancer more often than not is not diagnosed early as it looks like normal moles. This can have damaging effects that leave lasting scars. It develops due to increased sun exposure. The UV rays harvest radiation in 3 wavelengths, UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA and UVB do the most damage. The radiation activates malignant genes, oncogenes, that start the cancer. Facial skin cancer can be caused from overexposure to chemicals and radiation and can also be hereditary. There are 3 categories, basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. These can be diagnosed either by looking for strange pimple like growths or inflamed, tender growths and may also perform biopsies.

There are two types of carcinoma skin cancer. They are explained in below:

1. Basal cell carcinoma – Usually look like a bleeding or scabbing sore that seems to get better with time then re occurs and starts to bleed. They are found on the neck and face which are exposed to sunlight although it is also found on the abdomen, leg and scalp. They do not metastasize and tend to stick to the place where they originated. They can be cured with the help of methods called curettage and electrodesiccation. Larger cells are removed by surgery. MOHS surgery is the best way to treat most of these types of skin cancer and also ones that recur.

2. Squamous cell carcinoma – When the squamous cells are the site for origination of the cancer cells it is called Squamous cell carcinoma. Under a microscope, they look like fish scales. They are found in tissue forming skin surface, lining of hollow organs and respiratory passages and digestive tracts. The disease may arise in any of these tissues.

Skin cancer effects on the body depend on a variety of factors.

Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form, appears like a mark on the skin that is brown or red in color. It may be protruding or flat. It usually doesn’t spread and is considered benign. It appears anywhere, mostly on areas exposed to sunlight.

Squamous cell carcinoma, another form, is found on body parts exposed to sunlight. It doesn’t always spread to other parts but is more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma. It usually spreads, if at all, to surrounding cells. Thus, it will appear like a red or brown mark that grows in size.

Melanoma is the third type. It is most serious and most rare form of skin cancer. It can appear anywhere, even in areas not exposed to the sun like the feet. It appears like a brown spot that grows or a lump which is under the skin.

This is an unusual type of squamous skin cancer (SCC) found mostly in men who are balding. The reason is because of the direct exposure of their bald scalp to the harmful radiation of the sun. But, it can also occur in people with a full scalp of hair too. It is said to be the most dangerous type of SCC. If diagnosed early it is fully treatable. The symptoms of skin cancer on the scalp are:

1. Irritation

2. Red nodules or fat lesions form on the scalp

3. Bleeding of lesions

In diagnosis, the lesions are observed for routine biopsy but the right treatment is the surgical removal of the cancer. There are many ways prevent this form of cancer like applying appropriate sunscreen lotions, wearing hats and avoiding the mid day sun as much as possible.

MOHS skin surgery is the best and most effective treatment for skin cancer. It is performed by specially trained surgeons who have the experience of working for at least a year under the tutelage of a MOHS college member. It was developed by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs. It is a state of the art treatment that has continuously been revised over the last 70 years. With this technique, the MOHS technique, doctors can see beyond the disease as it is visible to the naked eye so as to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, one layer at a time,  leaving the healthy tissue intact. This is the most precise and exact method for removing skin cancer tumors and it minimizes the chances of re-growth and lessens potential for disfigurement or scarring.

Cancer on the skin is the most common place for cancer in the United States. The two most common types of this form of cancer are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They appear on the head, face, neck, etc. Melanoma, a more deadly type is less common in occurrence. It occurs in people who spend a lot of time in the sun or are sunburned, have light colored hair, eyes or skin, have family members with the disease, are over the age of 50. Any suspicious skin marks should be immediately diagnosed by your physician and any changes in the skin should be reported. Skin cancer responds well when diagnosed and treated early. If not treated it can spread to other parts of the body as well.

The two most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. They do not have very revealing symptoms and most often go un-noticed till they reach advanced stages. They usually appear as a small red or flesh-toned lump, or as a rash or sore that does not heal.

The most common places of appearance are the face and other areas exposed to sunlight. Early signs of skin cancer – on face pictures are available all over the internet and using them with the help of information about skin cancer symptoms can help you diagnose yourself regularly, from the comforts of your home, to see if you have caught this deadly disease.

 Skin cancer on the nose is just like any other cancer. Early detection is of utmost importance. It is best to seek an early surgery so that it can be removed before it grows in size and becomes more noticeable.

 It is important to visit a doctor immediately if you feel you are developing skin cancer on the nose. Doctors can help answer questions on the available treatments options if you do have skin cancer. It is usually treated by blasting the area with liquid nitrogen or by cutting it off with a hot knife. Only in cases involving most extreme or persistent nose skin cancers like malignant melanoma is surgery considered.