Getting to Know Skin Cancers
Getting to Know Skin Cancers
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia.Commonly known skin cancers:
1) Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
- a. Commonly appears as a repeatedly bleeding spot, a sore that does not heal, an unusual scar, or a persistent pink patch/lump.
- b. Superficial & Nodular subtypes are usually less invasive and might sometimes be amenable to topical chemotherapy treatment or photodynamic therapy, instead of surgery.
![](https://wonthaggimedical.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/13.jpg)
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
![](https://wonthaggimedical.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/12.jpg)
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
2) Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
- a. Usually arises from pre-existing pre-cancerous scaly lesions, called solar keratosis.
- b. SCC can at times grow quite aggressively
- c. Commonly appears as a scaly pink patch which is sometimes raised and/or painful.
- d. SCC in-situ and Bowen’s disease subtypes might at times be suitably treated with topical chemotherapy or photodynamic therapy, instead of surgery.
![](https://wonthaggimedical.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Screen-Shot-2019-06-18-at-10.15.19-PM.png)
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
![](https://wonthaggimedical.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/R.jpg)
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
3) Melanoma
- a. Least common of the three but most serious
- b. Learn to spot the concerning features of suggestive of a melanoma, conveniently known as ABCDEFG:
- A - Asymmetry
- B - Borders that are irregular
- C - Colours more than one
- D - Diameter over 5mm
- E – Evolving
- FG – Fast Growing (and Elevated)
![](https://wonthaggimedical.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/R-1.jpg)
Melanoma
![](https://wonthaggimedical.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/R.png)