Skin Cancer - Research Paper Example

Metastasis is a term that refers to the process of invading and spreading to other body organs. Tumors invade the surrounding tissues and overwhelm them by taking their space as well as the nutrients and oxygen that they require to function as well as survive (Emedicinehealth.com, 1). Rockoff records that skin cancer is the commonest form of human cancer and that it is estimated that every year, more than one million new cases arise. He also asserts that each year, the rates of all skin cancer forms are mounting, which has raised an increasing public concern.

Estimates also have it that of all Americans who live to age 65, almost half will get skin cancer no less than once. The classification of skin cancers depends on the types of epidermal cells involved. Different skin cancer types include melanoma, which takes place in the cells that produce pigment/melanocytes. This type of cancer is not so common but the most dangerous since it has a tendency of quickly metastasizing/spreading all over the body. It is the primary cause of skin disease death.

There is also basal cell carcinoma/basal cell carcinoma epithelioma, which develops when there is abnormal growth of the cells in epidermis’ lowest layer as well as squamous cell carcinoma, which occurs as a result of changes in the squamous cells, which are found in the epidermis’ middle layer (A.D.A.M., para4). The first phase of squamous cell carcinoma is known as actinic keratosis (Rockoff, 1). The last two cancer types are the most common cancer forms and they are both known as nonmelanoma skin cancer (1).

Other nonmelanoma skin cancers include cutaneous lymphoma, merkel cell carcinoma, and kaposi's sarcoma (A.D.A.M., para4). According to the American Cancer Society, most cases of nonmelanoma skin cancers grow on areas of the body that are mostly exposed to the sun, including the backs of the hands, ear, face neck and lips. Additionally, they can be slow or fast growing depending on the type. However, they hardly ever spread to other body parts. These forms of cancer are very likely to be healed if identified and treated early.

Risk factors of Skin Cancer Some of the recognized risk factors for skin cancer include exposure to the sun and sunburn – as earlier noted, skin areas that are frequently exposed to ultraviolet radiation or sunlight are more prone to skin cancer. This is deemed all skin cancers’ primary cause. Others include genetics (having a family history of melanoma); light-colored skin, eyes and hair (fair complexion); atypical/multiple moles; occupational exposures to radium, pitch, coal tar, arsenic compounds or creosote; as well as age – nonmelanoma skin cancers are common mostly past the age of forty (A.D.A.M., para5 & American Cancer Society, para10).

Emedicinehealth.com also points other risk factors to include use of tanning booths as well as the immune system’s immunosuppression-impairment, which may be brought about by medications prescribed to prevent organ transplant rejection or fight autoimmune diseases or can be due to other diseases. Individuals who have numerous, unusual or large moles present at birth, those with certain genetic disorders such as pigmentosum, xeroderma and albinism that deplete skin pigment , and those who experienced severe sunburn