Skin Cancer Diagnosis

What is a diagnosis of skin cancer?

Skin cancer remains one of the easiest cancers to detect particularly when caught early. This is because skin cancer starts where it is most noticeable. However, any region of the skin is susceptible to cancer, including the scalp to the bottom of the feet. Even if a particular area receives very little sunshine, skin cancer is still likely to thrive there. However, skin cancer can arise in the most surprising areas such as inside the mouth, on the lip, the genital region, the fingernail or toenail.

The most effective way to check for skin cancer is to examine every region of the body. Whenever performing a physical examination, dermatologists check for unusual things on the body like spots on the skin and scalp, growths between the toes and markings beneath the feet.

What does skin cancer look like?

Skin cancer looks different on various parts of the body. For example, skin cancer can look like a mole that varies in texture, shape and size from other regular moles.

Skin cancer can resemble the following:

• An abnormal dome-shaped growth.
• Scaly skin patches.
• A non-recovering sore
• Black or brown mark beneath the nail.

You must see a dermatologist urgently if a spot appears on a particular area of the skin and exhibits the following signs:

• The spot is different from other usual spots that appear on the skin.
• There are changes to the spot in terms of colour, shape and size.
• That particular area of the skin is itchy.
• That specific region of the skin bleeds.

How do you check for skin cancer?

A skin biopsy is a common method to evaluate the skin and check for signs of skin cancer. A skin biopsy can be done in the following ways:

• Shave biopsy entails using a razor to remove the surface-layer of the skin.
• Punch biopsy involves the use of a round-tipped tool to extract a tiny core of skin, including much deeper skin layers.
• Excisional biopsy involves utilising a scalpel to extract an entire skin lump or a portion of irregularly textured skin.

What is a dermoscopy?

Dermoscopy refers to the full evaluation of the skin by performing a skin surface microscopy. Dermoscopy helps assess pigmented skin lesions using a microscope and a powerful illuminating system. As a result, a dermoscopy can identify differentiations between malignant and benign changes.