skin neoplasms what are they? Diagnosis, treatment, and Prevention
skin neoplasms are neoplasms of benign or malignant tumors caused by the pathological growth of cells. Benign neoplasms do not pose a danger to life and health. However, there is always a certain risk of developing their own malignant tumors (malignant transformation). Therefore, most of the growths must be removed. If the tumor is aggressive, the patient needs treatment from an oncologist.
skin neoplasms: what are they
Tumors that develop from skin cells can be divided into benign, malignant, and possibly malignant.
skin neoplasms: Benign growths
Cells of benign tumors are structurally similar to normal ones. Such formations grow slowly, do not grow into surrounding tissues, and do not give metastases (distant tumor foci).
Their types:
- Lipoma. It is a tumor consisting of mature fat cells. It grows slowly, can reach 20 cm in diameter, and does not cause pain. The lipoma appears in the form of a plug or a moving node under the skin. The skin covering them does not change: the skin is smooth, and redness and ulcerative lesions are absent.
- Papillomatosis. This is a tumor-like formation of viral origin in the form of a connective tissue papilla that occurs as a result of human infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Often, papillomas are localized not only on the skin but also on the mucous membranes.
- The pimple. This is a formation of a viral nature, which has the appearance of prominent rounded growths. Warts have a rough surface, and their color varies from flesh to gray-brown. Warts can be painful and bleed when infected.
Cutaneous fibroma.
They consist of mature connective tissue fibers. It looks like a dense knot of gray-brown color, protruding above the surface of the skin. Their size can reach 5-6 cm.
Hardening is also easy to confuse with growths on the skin. Atheroma looks like a subcutaneous formation, but in fact, it is a cyst of the sebaceous gland filled with sebaceous secretion.
skin neoplasms: Malignant (cancerous)tumors
Older people are more susceptible to the development of malignant tumors. The cells of such tumors are poorly differentiated; their structure differs significantly from that of healthy cells. Cancerous tumors grow into surrounding tissues and spread easily, causing tumors to grow into internal organs.
Their types:
- Skin cancer. This is a malignant tumor that develops from melanocytes - the pigment cells of the skin. Melanoma is very aggressive and spreads rapidly to the lungs, liver, bones, and brain. The average size of melanoma ranges from a few mm to 3 cm and its surface is often ulcerated.
- Paloma. A tumor arises from epidermal cells. It grows into neighboring tissues and destroys them, and is prone to recurrence, but unlike melanoma, it rarely spreads. Basalioma protrudes above the surface of the skin and has a dense structure.
- Kaposi's sarcoma (tumor of the vascular endothelium). These are multiple malignant lesions of the dermis. Sarcoma manifests itself in the form of bluish-red spots on the skin. Over time, they turn into tumor nodes.
By what signs the patient can suspect that the formation on the skin has a malignant nature: it bleeds, rapidly increases in size, and changes color.
skin neoplasms: Borderline (cancerous)growths
Cancerous tumors are called neoplasms, which, under the influence of external or internal factors, have a high tendency to malignant degeneration.
Their types:
- Aging keratoma. This is a single Formation in the form of a round plaque with a reddish-brown tint. Most often they are localized on the face, neck, hands, and forearms. Senile keratoma is prone to transformation into a basalioma or squamous cell carcinoma.
- Xeroderma pigmentosum. This is a hereditary neoplasm caused by increased sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. It happens very rarely. From the appearance of xeroderma pigmentosa, the development of the oncological process can take from 10 to 15 years.
- Bowen's disease. This is a type of cancer (malignant tumor) that develops exclusively in the squamous cells of the epidermis. If the formation is not removed in time, squamous cell carcinoma will occur. Bowen's disease resembles plaques of dark pink or red color with jagged edges. Their surface is covered with crusts or keratinized scales.
Diagnosis of skin neoplasms
If a neoplasm appears on the skin, you need to contact a dermatologist. He will conduct a dermatoscopy - an examination of the skin surface using a dermatoscope. The dermatoscopy allows you to enlarge the image by 10 times. If the results of dermatoscopy are poor, the patient is referred to an oncologist.
Self-examination is of great importance in the early diagnosis of oncological neoplasms. The patient has to pay close attention to his health. If old moles or papillomas suddenly begin to increase in size and change color, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Treatment of skin neoplasms
The standard method of treating skin growths is to remove the affected area with partial excision of healthy tissues. Polyps are removed using electrocoagulation, a radio wave scalpel, and laser radiation. Lipoma is most often removed surgically. The doctor uses a scalpel, and then stitches. In malignant processes, surgical treatment is combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Sections of tissue removed during the operation are sent for histological examination.
Prevention of skin neoplasms
There is no specific prevention of malignant neoplasms on the skin. Patients with a large number of moles and burdensome family heredity should actively use creams with a UV filter when they are in the sun, and try not to injure the neoplasm. To reduce the risk of oncogenic HPV infection, barrier contraceptives (condoms) should be used.
a summary
Skin tumors are rare conditions that develop when skin cells change and grow out of control. They can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the face, neck, and torso. Skin tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous. Benign skin tumors include tumors of the sebaceous glands, papillomas, and Pilar tumors.
Skin tumors can be caused by several things, including sun exposure, aging, genetics, and environmental factors. Most skin tumors are diagnosed during routine medical examinations, but some may require surgery.