Skin Cancer, Burns, and Tattoos
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer 2 out of 5 cancers are skin cancers
Skin Cancer Cancer – uncontrolled cell growth Caused by damage to the DNA (in the nucleus) usually through chemicals or radiation
Two types of tumors Benign Does not spread (encapsulated) Malignant: these are the cancerous ones Metastasized (moves) to other parts of the body
Ultraviolet Radiation is the main cause of all skin cancers
Skin Cancer Types Basal cell carcinoma Least malignant - Most common type 90% of skin cancers are basal cell Seldom metastasizes – treated surgically or by radiation – 99% cure rate if caught early
Skin Cancer Types Squamous cell carcinoma 2 nd most common skin cancer – most common in darker skinned people Metastasizes to lymph nodes if left untreated deaths in US per year Early removal allows a good chance of cure
IMPORTANT TO KNOW Basal cell & squamous cell carcinomas are due to cumulative effects of the sun’s radiation (or chemical exposures as well) These tend to develop in ages 30-40s after years of daily sun exposure
Skin Cancer Types Malignant melanoma Least common BUT most deadly of skin cancers Metastasizes rapidly to lymph and blood vessels Early detection is critical
Malignant Melanoma tends to occur in younger ages (as well as older people) It is due to brief intense exposures (aka: sunburns) This is the most serious form of skin cancer and MUST be caught early to be treated successfully!
ABCD Rule A = Asymmetry Two sides of pigmented mole do not match B = Border irregularity Borders of mole are not smooth C = Color Different colors in pigmented area D = Diameter Spot is larger then 6 mm in diameter (pencil eraser) Mole starts growing/changing in size
Malignant Melanoma
Burns Define: Cell death caused by heat, electricity, UV radiation, or chemicals 2 main dangers Dehydration –Loss of fluids & Electrolytes lead to: Renal Shutdown Circulatory shock Infection Skin (mechanical)barrier lost Immune system depresses
Partial Thickness Burns First-degree burns Only epidermis is damaged Local redness, swelling, & pain Usually heal in 2-3 days (short time period) with NO scarring
Partial Thickness Burns Second degree burns Epidermis and upper dermis & structures within dermis are damaged Appearance of blisters of any size Skin regeneration in 3-4 weeks with some scarring There is a danger of infection
Full Thickness Burns Third-degree burns Epidermis, Dermis and all structures within are completely destroyed Usually painless at site of burn due to destruction of sense recept Burn is gray-white, tan, brown, black, or deep cherry red Surrounded by areas of 1 st & 2 nd degree burns that will be painful Treatments are numerous but will involve skin grafting of some sort, fluid replacement and debridement – may take months/years
What part of the skin can get tanned, coated, painted, etc ? › Epidermis
A change in the dermis is usually a permanent scar, and usually avoided. Tattooing bypasses the protection of the epidermis, allowing a permanent design to be embedded in a layer that can not be removed by the body.
During the actual process, the ink is injected in little pin-points, basically one ink dot per stick.
The needle bypasses the epidermis to inject the dermis with ink.
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a. Life threatening warnings that patients have allergies, diabetes or chronic disease. b. Radiotherapy- marking where the radiology needs to be conducted every treatment c. Breast reconstruction – to place the areola on a reconstructed breast after a mastectomy.
1. Infection: any blood borne disease can be transmitted through the needle: hepatitis, HIV, etc. 2. Allergic Reactions: are rare, but when they happen it is difficult to get the ink out. It is also possible to become allergic even after you’ve had a tattoo.
3. Keloid Formation: scar tissue that grows beyond normal boundaries, which can happen any time you traumatize your skin.
Remember you too will grow old.