Overview

When skin cells start to grow abnormally, skin cancer takes place. In maximum cases, skin cancer occurs in the areas that are exposed directly to sunlight, but there have been exceptions where skin cancers have taken place in the areas that are hardly exposed to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation (UV), says Dr. Soumen Das, the best skin cancer doctor in Kolkata. The best possible way to reduce the risk of skin cancer is to limit your skin’s exposure to UV radiation.

Whenever you notice a suspicious change in your skin, consult a doctor and get yourself tested. Early detection of skin cancer contributes to faster recovery.

Types

There are mainly 3 types of skin cancers that are quite common. Those are as follows:

  • Basal cell carcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Melanoma

Other uncommon skin cancer types are,

  • Merkel cell carcinoma
  • Kaposi sarcoma
  • Sebaceous gland carcinoma

Symptoms

Different types of skin cancers have different kinds of symptoms, says Dr. Soumen Das, best known for skin cancer treatment in Kolkata.

Symptoms of basal cell carcinoma: It usually occurs in the sun-exposed areas of one’s body.

  • Flesh-coloured and brown-coloured flat lesion
  • A waxy bump
  • A pearly bump

Symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma: This cancer occurs in sun-exposed areas of one’s body. This type of skin cancer is more found in people who are dark.

  • A flat lesion that has a scaly and crusted surface
  • A red, firm nodule

Symptoms of melanoma: Melanoma can take place anywhere in the body. Both men and women can get affected by this type of skin cancer, says the best skin cancer doctor in Kolkata. In most cases, an existing mole becomes cancerous.

  • Large and brownish spot
  • A mole which may change its size, colour, feel with time and it may bleed also.
  • Irregular bordered lesion
  • Itching, burning sensation and pain

Diagnosis

When you visit an oncologist with your skin issue, the doctor will closely check your skin and if he feels that you may have a chance of getting skin cancer, he will take out a sample of your skin and send it for a skin biopsy to confirm your condition.

Treatment

The treatment option for your skin cancer depends on the type, depth, size and location. If your skin cancer is small and limited to the surface of your skin, it may not require surgery; it may be removed by skin biopsy, where the entire growth gets removed. Other treatment options are as follows:

  • Excisional surgery
  • Mohs surgery
  • Cryotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Biological therapy
  • Laser and light-based treatment

Conclusion

If you suffer from the symptoms mentioned above, visit Dr. Soumen Das and get the best skin cancer treatment in Kolkata.