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سرطان پوست

سرطان پوست یکی از شایع‌ترین سرطان‌ها در جهان است. این سرطان عبارت از رشد و گسترش کنترل نشده سلول‌های ناهنجار پوست می‌باشد و زمانی اتفاق می‌افتد که DNA بازسازی نشده به سلول‌های پوستی آسیب می‌رسانند و باعث می‌شوند این سلول‌ها به سرعت تکثیر شده و به تومور تبدیل شوند. علت اصلی ابتلا به انواع سرطان پوست هنوز به طور دقیق تشخیص داده نشده است اما قرار گرفتن در معرض اشعه ماورای بنفش (UV) خطر ابتلا را تا حد بسیار زیادی افزایش می‌دهد. سرطان‌های پوستی به دو دسته تقسیم می‌شوند:

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. It occurs when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations, or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. The exact cause of all skin cancers isn’t clear, but exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning lamps and beds increases your risk of developing it. There are two major types of skin cancer:

• Nonmelanoma, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma
• Melanoma

Treatments

Skin cancer cells are usually removed by surgery. The tumor is cut out, along with a small area of normal looking skin from around the melanoma. The amount removed will depend on the size of the melanoma, and may be between 5mm and 3cm. In most cases, the wound can be stitched and will heal in a straight scar. Surgery can be used as diagnostic tool as well as a treatment. Sometimes, if the cancer is at an early stage, the whole melanoma is removed at the initial biopsy and no further treatment is needed.

Procedure

For a cancer that has grown deeper into the skin, a larger amount of skin is cut out to make sure all the cancer cells have been removed. This usually involves a general anesthetic and may require a brief stay in hospital. Surgical procedures include:

• Biopsy
• Excision and direct wound closure
• Wider excision with flap and/or graft repairs
• Sentinel node mapping and biopsy
• Lymph node surgery

Side effects

There are risks that go with any type of medical procedure and surgery is no exception. Success partly depends on the type of surgery you are having and the surgeon’s experience with it.

• Bleeding
• Headache
• Aches and pains for long time
• Serious allergy to drugs

Complications

• After removal of primary affected tissues, you may need a skin graft or other reconstructive surgery for cosmetic reasons or to restore function.
• This is most likely if the melanoma was large or was a late-stage tumor.
• Damage to internal organs and blood vessels can happen during surgery. Again, doctors are careful to allow as little damage as possible.
• Some people have reactions to the drugs used (anaesthesia) or other medicines needed during surgery. Although rare, these can be serious because they can cause dangerously low blood pressures.
• Surgery can lead to problems with other organs, such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys. These problems are very rare but can happen and can be life-threatening. They are more likely to happen to people who already have problems with these organs.

After surgery

There is no a 100 percent treatment for any kind of cancer and the chance of developing cancer cell always is there. Therefore be considered:

• It is very important to keep all follow-up appointments. Follow-up is needed to check for signs of the cancer coming back, as well as possible side effects of certain treatments.
• How often you need follow-up doctor visits depends on the stage of your melanoma when you were diagnosed and other factors.
• In addition to the exams, imaging tests such as x-rays or CT scans may be recommended for some patients.
• It is also important for melanoma skin cancer survivors to do regular self-exams of their skin and lymph nodes..