Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Actinic Keratoses Causes Dry Scaly Skin Spot
Do you have a spot of skin that is dry and scaly? And is this patch dark and flat?
These rough feeling skin spots, usually appearing only after years of sun exposure, are called actinic keratoses. The major health concern with actinic keratoses is it sometimes develops into squamous cell carcinomas.
Squamous cell carcinoma is one type of skin cancer. It’s slow growing, but this form of cancer can spread. Therefore, early treatment is vital.
Dry, scaly skin spots of actinic keratoses typically show up on your sun soaked areas, like face, ears, neck, lips, forearms and hands. Their color ranges from skin tone to red to brown. Size and thickness varies as well.
Common locations for squamous cell carcinomas to materialize mirror actinic keratoses. Yet, they can occur anywhere, including inside your mouth, anus and around your genitals.
Squamous cell tumors are not always dry and scaly spots. They can manifest as:
- ulcerations
- firm, red nodules
- raised area on a scar
- ulcer or flat, white patch inside mouth
- red, raised patch or ulcerated sore in anus, on genitals
A squamous cell carcinoma can be difficult to spot, especially if it emerges on skin that has other signs of sun damage.
Not all actineic keratoses develop into squamous cell carcinoma, and not all squamous cell carcinomas develop from actineic keratoses.
If you notice your skin generating dry, scaly spots, then ask your health care person to have a look. Especially if any one of these risks pertain to you:
- over 40
- are fair skinned
- have a weak immune system
- spent a chunk of time in the sun
Treatment of your actineic keratoses may involve:
- surgical excision
- topical medication
- curettage ~ scraping
- cryosurgery ~ freezing
Often, squamous cell carcinomas that are found early may be treated via one of these local methods. If your cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other spots, expect chemo, radiation and other intensive treatments.
Squamous cell carcinoma can course a fatal path when left untreated. For this reason alone, your health depends on routine skin monitoring for unusual skin changes.
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