What are the symptoms of skin cancer. Can it be cured

Question

A) cancer may present as clump of cells as lump usually these lumps are painless and generally ignored because of lack of symptoms. Lumps can be anywhere like in neck, armpits, breasts, on sides of groin or inguinal region.

B) as the cells continue their growth they can ulcerate so non healing ulcer is another symptom. So please monitor any ulcer which is prolonging beyond usual period of say fifteen days to a month you must get it investigated.

C) bleeding from any site like blood in stool, urine, abnormal bleeding from vagina apart from usual periods, post coital bleeding, bleeding from oral cavity, sputum, vomits or even patchy bleeding points or bruises must be investigated.

D) altered bowel habits like unexplained diarrhea or constipation may indicate some bowel related pathology.

E) unexplained weight loss due exhausted resources and increased demand of the body.

Symptoms may depend on organ involved as it may be difficulty in swallowing, breathing problems, mole which suddenly starts growing, nipple discharge esp. Bloody, indigestion etc.

All the above symptoms are not diagnostic of cancer only and there may be many other causes but since they may indicate cancer as well one should be alert and aware and must seek medical advice if they continue for a long period like over a month.

Neetu Singhal · Accepted Answer

A) cancer may present as clump of cells as lump usually these lumps are painless and generally ignored because of lack of symptoms. Lumps can be anywhere like in neck, armpits, breasts, on sides of groin or inguinal region.

B) as the cells continue their growth they can ulcerate so non healing ulcer is another symptom. So please monitor any ulcer which is prolonging beyond usual period of say fifteen days to a month you must get it investigated.

C) bleeding from any site like blood in stool, urine, abnormal bleeding from vagina apart from usual periods, post coital bleeding, bleeding from oral cavity, sputum, vomits or even patchy bleeding points or bruises must be investigated.

D) altered bowel habits like unexplained diarrhea or constipation may indicate some bowel related pathology.

E) unexplained weight loss due exhausted resources and increased demand of the body.

Symptoms may depend on organ involved as it may be difficulty in swallowing, breathing problems, mole which suddenly starts growing, nipple discharge esp. Bloody, indigestion etc.

All the above symptoms are not diagnostic of cancer only and there may be many other causes but since they may indicate cancer as well one should be alert and aware and must seek medical advice if they continue for a long period like over a month.

Lalit Kumar Tripathy · Answer

Skin cancer includes three entities like basal cell carcinoma,. Squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Squamous and basal cell carcinoma develop in sun exposed areas of skin like scalp, face, lip ear, neck, chest, arm and leg.

Melanoma develops in areas of skin that are not exposed to skin like trunk, palm sole of feet etc. People with darker skin are more prone to develop squamous cell carcinoma and people with fair skin are prone to develop basal cell carcinoma.

The symptoms of cancer are-

1. A spot or sore that does not heal within 4 week.

2. A spot or sore that itches, hurts, is scabbed, crusty or bleeds for more than 4 week.

3. A painless ulcer that does not heal within 4 week and may bleed.

4. A scaly or crusted growth on the sun exposed areas of the skin like scalp, face, lip, ear, neck, chest, arm and leg.

5. A fast growing mole that itches, changes its color, size or feel and that bleeds.