Recently in the news after alarming statistics detailing its prevalence, Non-melanoma skin cancer is a public health menace. PruProtect's Fergus Bescoby explains the implications
Merkel cell carcinoma is very rare. Treatment is with surgery or radiotherapy or a combination of both. This usually works well, but sometimes the cancer can come back in the same place and will occasionally spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Kaposi's sarcoma is a rare condition that is often associated with HIV infection. It is a cancer that begins in the cells that form the lining of blood vessels in the skin. Treatment is in the form of surgery or radiotherapy and sometimes chemotherapy.
T cell lymphoma of the skin can also be called primary cutaneous lymphoma.
Why does it happen?
The exact cause of non-melanoma skin cancer is unknown, although it is linked with overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.
UV light comes from the sun, as well as artificial sun beds and sunlamps.
In addition to UV light overexposure, there are other things that can increase the chances of developing non-melanoma skin cancer and these include:
• a family history of the condition
• pale skin that burns easily
• multiple moles or freckles
Non-melanoma skin cancer affects slightly more men than women.
Biopsies to test for skin cancer
It is not always possible to tell the difference between skin cancer and non cancerous skin conditions. A specialist will take a sample of the skin and send it to the lab for examination under a microscope. This is called a biopsy.
There are 3 main types of biopsy, namely
• Incisional or excisional biopsy
• Punch biopsy
• Shave biopsy
Incisional biopsy means using a surgical knife to remove a small piece of the abnormal area. A piece of the full thickness of the skin is removed.
Excisional biopsy means using a surgical knife to remove the whole of the abnormal area. A border of healthy tissue from all around the abnormal area is taken away at the same time.
A punch biopsy samples a small area of skin. In this instance a small circle of the full thickness of the skin is removed.
A shave biopsy means shaving off the top layer of skin under local anaesthetic.
