oral cancer pics

Diagnosis and Treatment

With early detection and proper treatment, skin cancer is highly curable. The average cure rate when detected and treated in the early stages is 95%. Even melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, when limited to the outermost layers of the skin yields a 95% cure rate.

How Skin Cancer Diagnosed
A person’s ability to recognize the signs of skin cancer and perform regular self-examinations are key to early detection. Any time skin cancer is suspected, the lesion should be examined by a dermatologist.

Dermatologists detect skin cancer through a visual examination of the skin and mucous membranes. If malignancy (cancer) is suspected, a biopsy will be performed. This involves numbing the area and removing the lesion, or part of it, for microscopic examination. A biopsy is the only way to definitely tell if skin cancer is present.

Since a skin biopsy is generally a quick and simple procedure, it is usually performed in a dermatologist’s office or outpatient setting. The type of biopsy performed depends on the type of skin cancer suspected, where on the body the tumor lies, and the tumor’s size. The different types of biopsy procedures used include:

• Excisional biopsy – The entire tumor along with a margin of tissue that is not a visible part of the tumor is removed. An excisional biopsy is the preferred method for removing lesions suspected to be melanoma.
• Incisional biopsy – A portion of the lesion is removed during an incisional biopsy, which is usually performed when the lesion is large. A scalpel; a hollow, circular scalpel-like instrument called a “punch” (punch biopsy); or a razor (shave biopsy) is used to remove the sample.

The removed sample is examined under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present and if so which kind. If an excisional biopsy was performed, the physician examining the sample also should be able to determine how deeply the cancer has penetrated the skin.

Frequently, the removed sample is sent to a laboratory to be examined by a dermatopathologist, a medical doctor trained in both dermatology and pathology, who uses this expertise to microscopically examine tissue in order to diagnose skin conditions. Dermatopathologists provide expertise in diagnosing difficult cases.

In addition to removing the tumor or part of it, the dermatologist also will ask the patient some questions, which usually include when the lesion first appeared, symptoms, and the patient’s history of sun exposure.

Treatment Options
If the biopsy reveals skin cancer, your dermatologist will discuss treatment options. Treatment for skin cancer varies according to the type, location, extent, aggressiveness of the cancer, and the patient's general health.

The goals of treatment for skin cancer are to remove all of the cancer, reduce the chance of recurrence, preserve healthy skin tissue, and minimize scarring after surgery.

What is Skin Cancer?

Cancer develops when DNA, the molecule found in cells that encodes genetic information, becomes damaged and the body cannot repair the damage. These damaged cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. When this occurs in the skin, skin cancer develops. As the damaged cells multiply, they form a tumor. Since skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis, the outermost layers of skin, a tumor is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages.

Types of Skin Cancer
Three types of skin cancer account for nearly 100% of all diagnosed cases. Each of these three cancers begins in a different type of cell within the skin, and each cancer is named for the type of cell in which it begins. Skin cancers are divided into one of two classes - nonmelanoma skin cancers and melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The different types of skin cancer are:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): The most common cancer in humans, BCC develops in more than 1 million people every year in the United States alone. About 80% of all skin cancers are BCC, a cancer that develops in the basal cells - skin cells located in the lowest layer of the epidermis. BCC can take several forms. It can appear as a shiny translucent or pearly nodule, a sore that continuously heals and then re-opens, a pink slightly elevated growth, reddish irritated patches of skin, or a waxy scar. Most BCCs appear on skin with a history of exposure to the sun, such as the face, ears, scalp, and upper trunk. These tumors tend to grow slowly and can take years to reach ½ inch in size. While these tumors very rarely metastasize (cancer spreads to other parts of the body), dermatologists encourage early diagnosis and treatment to prevent extensive damage to surrounding tissue.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): About 16% of diagnosed skin cancers are SCC. This cancer begins in the squamous cells, which are found in the upper layer of the epidermis. About 200,000 cases are diagnosed ever year. SCC tends to develop in fair-skinned middle-aged and elderly people who have had long-term sun exposure. It most often appears as a crusted or scaly area of skin with a red inflamed base that resembles a growing tumor, non-healing ulcer, or crusted-over patch of skin. While most commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body, it can develop anywhere, including the inside of the mouth and the genitalia. SCC may arise from actinic keratoses, which are dry, scaly lesions that may be skin-colored, reddish-brown or yellowish-black. SCC requires early treatment to prevent metastasis (spreading).

Melanoma: Accounting for about 4% of all diagnosed skin cancers, melanoma begins in the melanocytes, cells within the epidermis that give skin its color. Melanoma has been coined “the most lethal form of skin cancer” because it can rapidly spread to the lymph system and internal organs. In the United States alone, approximately one person dies from melanoma every hour. Older Caucasian men have the highest mortality rate. Dermatologists believe this is due to the fact that they are less likely to heed the early warning signs. With early detection and proper treatment, the cure rate for melanoma is about 95%. Once its spreads, the prognosis is poor. Melanoma most often develops in a pre-existing mole or looks like a new mole, which is why it is important for people to know what their moles look like and be able to detect changes to existing moles and spot new moles.

Other nonmelanoma skin cancers: All other skin cancers combined account for less than 1% of diagnosed cases. These are classified as nonmelanoma skin cancers and include Merkel cell carcinoma, dermatofibromasarcoma protuberans, Paget’s disease and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Causes
Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, “Many of the more than 1 million skin cancers diagnosed each year could be prevented with protection from the sun’s rays.” Scientists now know that exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays damages DNA in the skin. The body can usually repair this damage before gene mutations occur and cancer develops. When a person’s body cannot repair the damaged DNA, which can occur with cumulative sun exposure, cancer develops.

In some cases, skin cancer is an inherited condition. Between 5% and 10% of melanomas develop in people with a family history of melanoma.

Who Gets Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer develops in people of all colors, from the palest to the darkest. However, skin cancer is most likely to occur in those who have fair skin, light-colored eyes, blonde or red hair, a tendency to burn or freckle when exposed to the sun, and a history of sun exposure. Anyone with a family history of skin cancer also has an increased risk of developing skin cancer. In dark-skinned individuals, melanoma most often develops on non-sun-exposed areas, such as the foot, underneath nails, and on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nasal passages, or genitals. Those with fair skin also can have melanoma develop in these areas.

Skin Cancer Rates Rising
While Americans now recognize that overexposure to the sun is unhealthy, the fact remains that most do not protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays. As a result, skin cancer is common in the United States. More than 1 million nonmelanoma skin cancers are diagnosed each year, and approximately one person dies from melanoma every hour.

If current trends continue, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Melanoma continues to rise at an alarming rate. In 1930, 1 in 5,000 Americans was likely to develop melanoma during their lifetime. By 2004, this ratio jumped to 1 in 65. Today, melanoma is the second most common cancer in women aged 20 to 29.

Prevention and Early Detection Key
Sun protection can significantly decrease a person’s risk of developing skin cancer. Sun protection practices include staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the rays are strongest, applying a broad-spectrum (offers UVA and UVB protection) sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher year-round to all exposed skin, and wearing a protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses when outdoors.

Since skin cancer is so prevalent today, dermatologists also recommend that everyone learn how to recognize the signs of skin cancer, use this knowledge to perform regular examinations of their skin, and see a dermatologist annually (more frequently if at high risk) for an exam. Skin cancer is highly curable with early detection and proper treatment.

Early Skin Cancer

Many types of skin cancer can be easily detected for slight changes in shape, color and texture of the skin. It is better to look out for any changes on the skin to detect the growth of cancer causing cells as early as possible. Not all the types of skin cancer have the same symptoms. In case you observe for sudden changes in the skin, then it is time to consult your medical practitioner.

Development of raised bump or lesion like growth on the skin in particular on the neck and face area, formation of red bumps on arms, face and hands, scaly dry patches on the skin that are rough to touch and changing colors of mole are some of the symptoms of early skin cancer. Any mole, irrespective of size that changes color and shape often is to be noticed and treated with care at early stages.

Though skin cancer can occur in any part of your body, still the areas like neck, face, hands and scalp are more prone to skin cancer than other parts, due to the repeated exposure to the sun. A mole that has irregular border and irregular shape should not be ignored. Very often, the process of development of skin cancer takes time and does not appear on the skin overnight. Look out for the symptoms by examining the ABCD pattern. In case of any doubt, do not delay in consulting your doctor.

Pictures of Early Skin Cancer :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Early Skin Cancer

Neck Cancer

Neck cancer is the growth of cancerous cells in the neck region like mouth, nose and throat. Any type of cancer in these parts will be classified under neck cancer. The mucosal cells of the skin and the underlying tissues are always moist and they normally look scaly when observed in a microscope. Due to the size of the structure, they are called squamous cells. When there is cancerous growth on squamous cells they give rise to neck cancer.

There are several types of neck cancer based on the area in which it is formed.

Oral cavity cancer may develop on the lips, cheeks, tongue and inside mouth.

Salivary glands cancer is the one that attacks salivary glands that secretes saliva. There may be cancerous growth on paranasal cavity, pharynx, nasopharynx and hypopharnyx and also on voicebox called larynx.

Causes :

Tobacco chewing and smoking are considered as the main cause for neck cancer. Drinking alcohol is also a risk factor affecting oropharynx, and larynx. About 85% of people who have neck cancer are related to smoking habit and drinking.

Exposure to hot sunlight can also affect the oral cavity causing HPV infection. Sometimes, taking radiation therapy for other disorders may affect salivary glands and nasal cavity. Environmental factors like exposure to pollutants, dust and irritants can also affect nasal cavity and cause sinus. Lack of dental hygiene may affect oropharynx and nutritional deficiencies can cause cancer in hypopharynx.

Symptoms :

You can see a lump or lesion like growth which does not heal even after long time on the affected person. There may be sore throat that does not respond to any medicine and may create hoarseness in voice. Whitish red patches are seen on the gums, lining of mouth and in some cases, there can be bleeding in the mouth.

Some people may have chronic sinus infection that are not fixed with antibiotics, nose bleeding, headache, swelling in eyes, vision problem and pain in the teeth. The jawbone may develop inflammation and there can be numbness in the facial muscles. Many persons complain of having difficulty in swallowing and drinking due to soar throat and pain in the neck.

Diagnoses :

Physical examination, endoscopy, laboratory test like blood test, urine test and other routine are done. In addition, CT scan, PET scan and MRI will be done for getting clear picture of the intensity of the disease.

Pictures of Neck cancer :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Neck cancer

Treatment :

There are several options of treating neck cancer.

Before selecting the right method, your doctor will consider factors like age, general health condition, intensity of illness and location of tumor and how far the cancer has advanced.

Surgery is done for removing tumors of small to medium size and also for the removal of affected lymph nodes. The patient will undergo radiation therapy after surgery. This can create side effects and difficulty in swallowing and talking. There may be moderate to severe inflammation on the neck region.

After removing larynx, there may be numbness in the throat and stiffness in shoulder.

Radiation therapy involves passing of high energy X-rays to destroy cancerous cells in the area.

Chemotherapy is the method based on treating the patient with potential anticancer medicines. This can be given orally or by injection. This has some side effects like mouth sores, hair loss, nausea and vomiting.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a type of cancer affecting mouth and oral cavity. It can occur in any part of the oral cavity like lips, tongue, mouth or oropharynx. Generally the cancer starts at the tongue and proceeds towards the floor of the mouth. Squamous cells are responsible for creating oral cancer and such cancers are called as squamous cell carcinoma.

The cell causing cancer is carried through the watery fluid called lymph and enters into the lymphatic system. That is the reason they appear and attack first the lymphatic nodes in the neighboring area. Oral cancer have chance to spread to lungs, neck and other internal organs.

Causes :

Though it is accepted universally that people who smoke and drink are prone to get cancer of all types, still this theory remains confused in some aspect. Any person who does not even smoke at least once has every chance to get oral cancer. But doctors believe that tobacco and smoking is the main cause for oral cancer. Heavy smokers are more prone to get mouth caner and lung cancer. Similarly drinking alcohol can induce cancer.

Exposure to direct sunlight can cause skin cancer and lip blisters. For people who have family history of cancer or head cancer have more chance of getting oral and neck cancer than others.

Symptoms :

You have to look up for early signs in case of oral cancer. White patches inside the mouth and in particular on the lips should not be ignored. These patches may become malignant. Red patches of (erythroplakia) are another symptom of oral cancer.

Your mouth or lips may be bleeding, formation of sores, difficulty in swallowing, dental problems, lymph in the neck and earache are other symptoms.

Diagnoses :

Your doctor will examine the oral cavity and check for red and white patches in the lips and mouth. He would also look for lymph nodes in the neck to see any swelling has developed. He would then take out a sample tissue for biopsy. Local anesthesia will be given for removing sample from the mouth. The biopsy result will give the clear picture of oral cancer.

Pictures of Oral Cancer :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Oral Cancer

Treatment :

Your doctor should first analyze the stage at which the cancer has advanced, before sorting out the right method of treatment. He would then consider the size of the tumor, its position and how far it has spread. Taking a dental X ray and CT scan or MRI scan of the affected part is advised to proceed with treatment.

Surgery will be done for removing tumors of small size and lymph nodes on the neck. Radiation therapy is given to destroy the cancer causing cells in the oral cavity. It would gradually shrink the tumor to small size which can then be removed by surgical process. Chemotherapy is used for improving immunity and for killing cancer cells. You have to take several shots of injection while taking chemotherapy.