Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/70637
5. Skin Cancer The most common source of skin cancer deaths is melanoma, which may be identified using the ABCDE criteria (see sidebar), but the most common form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. There are also some less common varieties which have different symptoms. "Basal cell carcinoma often presents in the form of shiny or pearly bumps, which patients think are pimples," says Elizabeth Quigley, MD, assistant attending physician in the dermatology service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Jersey. If the lesion has been there for six months, and sometimes bleeds, that's a warning sign that it is not a pimple. Merkel cell carcinoma is typically seen in the elderly, or those who have problems with their immune system. "It often looks like a big red bump, usually greater than 5 millimeters, and usually rapidly growing over a period as short as a few weeks," Quigley says. Atypical fibroxanthoma is another skin cancer found primarily in older individuals. "There are bumps, and the skin is colored redder than your normal skin," Quigley says. "The tumor is rapidly growing, with bleeding and persistent symptoms." Squamous cell carcinoma, responsible for about 20 percent of all skin cancer deaths, has symptoms that are quite different from those of melanoma. "Squamous cell carcinoma can present as firm bumps, scaly patches, or ulcers that don't get better. The skin is red and the scale is the kind that doesn't go away with moisturizer," Quigley says. "It's different from just dry skin, and the scale is usually thicker." She says squamous cells don't rub off like normal dry skin, and the scaly patch may bleed if it is removed by pulling or picking. Skin care professionals are often the first line of defense when it comes to the well-being of clients and their skin. Being familiar with the appearance of these early signs of disease makes you a valuable part of your clients' health-care team. John Otrompke is a health-care writer and consultant. He can be reached at 646-730-0179 or John_Otrompke@yahoo.com. While the top two images look more like most people's idea of a suspicious mole, the bottom image should raise just as many suspicions. All three of these images show multiple warning signs of melanoma. How to Spot Melanoma Remember the ABCDE list of danger signs for moles. Any of these symptoms could be indicative of skin cancer: Asymmetry. The mole is an unusual shape, not round. B order Irregularity. The edges of the mole may be jagged, scalloped, or wavy, or very sharp in one area. C olor. The mole shows variation in color from one area to another. There may be multiple shades of tan, brown, black, white, blue, or red. Diameter. The mole is greater than 6 millimeters in diameter. E volving. The mole is new, or an existing mole has changed in size, shape, or color. A more informal method of spotting a suspicious mole is called the Ugly Duckling test: when a mole just seems to catch your attention for some reason. "The classic example is when a client has one thing on them that just doesn't look like any other spot on their body," explains Elizabeth Quigley, MD. "Let's say they have many black moles, but one brown mole. Or most of the clients' moles are round and small, but they have one that is big and a different shape. That is a client who should be evaluated by a physician." Get connected to your peers @ www.skincareprofessionals.com 21