Diagnosis Of Scalp Cancer
To diagnose skin cancer on your scalp, your health care provider may:
- Examine the skin on your scalp to find out whether the changes in your skin are likely due to cancer
- Perform a skin biopsy where they remove a small sample of the suspicious skin and send it to a lab for testing
If you have scalp cancer, your health care provider may recommend additional testing to determine the stage of skin cancer, especially for melanoma and squamous cell cancer. Additional tests may include imaging studies to examine nearby lymph nodes for any signs of carcinoma or a biopsy of a lymph node .
Do Skin Cancer Spots Appear Suddenly
It is the most common type of skin cancer. While basal cell tumors can be small or large, they rarely spread to other parts of the body. Signs include a new or growing bump that is skin colored, pink, or shiny. A growth can develop slowly or appear suddenly.
What You Can Do
If youve already had a BCC, you have an increased chance of developing another, especially in the same sun-damaged area or nearby.
A BCC can recur even when it has been carefully removed the first time, because some cancer cells may remain undetectable after surgery and others can form roots that extend beyond whats visible. BCCs on the nose, ears and lips are more likely to recur, usually within the first two years after surgery.
Heres what you can do to detect a recurrence and safeguard yourself against further skin damage that can lead to cancer:
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What Is A Skin Tag
A skin tag is a flesh-colored growth that can be thin and stalky looking or round in shape.
These growths can develop in many areas on your body. Theyre most common in parts where friction is created from skin rubbing. As skin tags age, they may become red or brown in color.
Skin tags are often found in the following areas of the body:
Types And Symptoms Of Skin Cancer On The Scalp
Skin cancer involves the abnormal growth of cells of the skin, and it usually occurs on areas that have more sun exposure. Skin cancer develops when errors occur in the genetic material of skin cells. These mutations cause cells to grow abnormally, forming a tumor or mass of cells.
Skin cancer starts in the top layer of the skin . The epidermis consists of three main kinds of cells: squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes. The type of cell where the skin cancer starts determines its kind and the treatment options.
Factors that can make you more prone to developing skin cancer on the scalp are:
- Having fair skin, light-colored eyes, and red or blonde hair and more easily developing a sunburn or freckles
- A personal history of sunburns
- Excessive exposure to the sun, particularly if you dont protect your skin with clothing or sunscreen
- Living in high-altitude or sunny climates
- Having abnormal or multiple moles
- Having precancerous skin lesions known as actinic keratoses
- A family or personal history of skin cancer
- A weakened immune system such as from HIV/AIDS or immunosuppressant drugs after an organ transplant
- Having undergone radiation therapy for skin problems such as acne and eczema
- Exposure to certain substances such as arsenic
There are three main types of skin cancer: squamous cell cancer, basal cell cancer, and melanoma.
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Is Skin Cancer Itchy
An itchy skin rash could be a warning sign of skin cancer. But, itching is very common and can occur for many reasons other than cancer. Some possible explanations include dry skin, eczema, contact dermatitis, an insect bite or an allergic reaction to a medication, cosmetic or poison ivy.
Due to the wide range of potential causes, itchy skin alone is usually not a reason to be overly concerned. Unless the itching is very bothersome or lasts beyond a few days, home remedies such as applying an anti-itch cream, moisturizer or cool compress may be all that is needed to improve comfort until the itching resolves on its own.
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Melanoma Signs And Symptoms
Melanoma skin cancer is much more serious than basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It can spread quickly to other organs and causes the vast majority of skin cancer deaths in the United States. Usually melanomas develop in or around an existing mole.
Signs and symptoms of melanoma vary depending on the exact type and may include:
- A flat or slightly raised, discolored patch with irregular borders and possible areas of tan, brown, black, red, blue or white
- A firm bump, often black but occasionally blue, gray, white, brown, tan, red or your usual skin tone
- A flat or slightly raised mottled tan, brown or dark brown discoloration
- A black or brown discoloration, usually under the nails, on the palms or on the soles of the feet
See more pictures and get details about different types of melanoma in our dedicated melanoma section.
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How Can I Tell If I Have Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is actually one of the easiest cancers to find. Thats because skin cancer usually begins where you can see it.
You can get skin cancer anywhere on your skin from your scalp to the bottoms of your feet. Even if the area gets little sun, its possible for skin cancer to develop there.
You can also get skin cancer in places that may surprise you. Skin cancer can begin under a toenail or fingernail, on your genitals, inside your mouth, or on a lip.
What Are Skin Cancer Signs And Symptoms
A sign is something that can be noticed. In skin cancer, a sign is any noticeable changes to skin. Skin cancer may present as an abnormal lesion or bump or as a mole that has changed appearance.
A symptom, or something you feel, may include tenderness, itchiness, soreness or bleeding around the abnormal lesion, bump or mole.
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Get To Know Your Skin
It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor about your level of risk and for advice on early detection.
It’s important to get to know your skin and what is normal for you, so that you notice any changes. Skin cancers rarely hurt and are much more frequently seen than felt.
Develop a regular habit of checking your skin for new spots and changes to existing freckles or moles.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Melanoma
Melanoma is a skin cancer that can show up on the skin in many ways. It can look like a:
Spot that looks like a new mole, freckle, or age spot, but it looks different from the others on your skin
Spot that has a jagged border, more than one color, and is growing
Dome-shaped growth that feels firm and may look like a sore, which may bleed
Dark-brown or black vertical line beneath a fingernail or toenail
Band of darker skin around a fingernail or toenail
Slowly growing patch of thick skin that looks like a scar
This early melanoma could be mistaken for a mole, so its important to look carefully at the spots on your skin.
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How To Treat Skin Tags
One way to prevent skin tags getting twisted and becoming painful is to remove them when they appear. There are numerous options available to remove skin tags but each one has its own pros and cons. There are several medical removal options such as cryotherapy, cauterization, or surgery. For small skin tags though, many people opt for home remedies or over the counter removal options.
Skin tags are attached to the skin by a thin stalk. So, when you want to remove a skin tag, you should aim to treat the bottom of the stalk so that there is no residual skin tag left behind when the tag is removed.
Important Note About Side Effects
If you experience any side effects from your scalp cancer treatments or changes to side effects, tell your doctor immediately.
They need to have this information in case those side effects impact treatment or need additional care. Do not hold back any information, no matter how small or unimportant you think it is.
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What Is Scalp Cancer
Scalp cancer and scalp cancer symptoms do not exist as a formal medical diagnosis.
Rather, this term generally refers to skin cancer on the scalp, and there are three distinct, common types of cancer this could be.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous cells are essentially the inner lining of the skin. These sit below the dead outer surface and act as a protective barrier for deeper cells.
- Basal Cell Carcinoma: Basal cells sit directly beneath squamous cells. These produce new skin cells.
- Melanoma: Melanoma on the scalp is caused by problems with the melanocytes, which produce the pigment for your skin.
There are also other, rarer types of skin cancer, including Kaposi sarcoma , Merkel cell carcinoma , and sebaceous gland carcinoma .
Skin cancers are often visually distinct, so when attempting to identify them, its essential to understand all of the possibilities. Only a doctor can tell you if something is skin cancer or another condition that is visually similar, but not scalp cancer symptoms.
Squamous Cell Skin Cancers
Squamous cell skin cancers can vary in how they look. They usually occur on areas of skin exposed to the sun like the scalp or ear.
Thanks to Dr Charlotte Proby for her permission and the photography.
You should see your doctor if you have:
- a spot or sore that doesn’t heal within 4 weeks
- a spot or sore that hurts, is itchy, crusty, scabs over, or bleeds for more than 4 weeks
- areas where the skin has broken down and doesn’t heal within 4 weeks, and you can’t think of a reason for this change
Your doctor can decide whether you need any tests.
Cancer and its management J Tobias and D HochhauserBlackwell, 2015
Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology VT De Vita, TS Lawrence and SA RosenbergWolters Kluwer, 2018
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Where Does Bcc Develop
As the above pictures show, this skin cancer tends to develop on skin that has had lots of sun exposure, such as the face or ears. Its also common on the bald scalp and hands. Other common areas for BCC include, the shoulders, back, arms, and legs.
While rare, BCC can also form on parts of the body that get little or no sun exposure, such as the genitals.
Tools That Can Help You Find Melanoma On Your Skin
To help you find melanoma early, the American Academy of Dermatology developed the following:
Melanoma can look different on a childs skin. Taking this short quiz can help you hone your skills at finding childhood melanoma.
ImagesImages 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,10: Images used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.
Image 2: Developed by the American Academy of Dermatology
Image 9: Used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
ReferencesBarnhill RL, Mihm MC, et al. Malignant melanoma. In: Nouri K, et al. Skin Cancer. McGraw Hill Medical, China, 2008: 140-167.
Gloster HM Jr, Neal K. Skin cancer in skin of color. J Am Acad Dermatol 2006 55:741-60.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN guidelines for patients: Melanoma. 2018. Last accessed February 12, 2019.
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Melanoma On The Scalp
Melanoma, also referred to as cutaneous melanoma and malignant melanoma, is a kind of skin cancer that starts in the melanocytes. Melanoma is less common than other kinds of skin cancer. Melanoma is more likely to spread to other areas of the body if it isnt diagnosed and treated in the early stages.
One of the most significant signs of melanoma is a new lesion on the skin or a lesion that changes shape, color, or size.
Another significant sign is a lesion that looks different from the other spots on the skin . You can use the ABCDE rule as a self-assessment help guide to look out for signs of melanoma:
- Asymmetry One half of the mole doesnt match the other half.
- Border The border or edges of the lesion are irregular, blurred, notched, or ragged.
- Color The color of the lesion may not be consistent and could include various shades or patches of black, brown, white, blue, pink, or red.
- Diameter The lesion is larger than 6 millimeters in diameter .
- Evolving The lesion changes color, size, or shape.
Some melanoma lesions may not fit the above-mentioned rules. Other signs that could indicate a problem include:
- A sore that doesnt heal
- A new swelling or redness away from the border of the lesion
- Spreading of pigment from the lesions border into the surrounding skin
- Change in skin sensation including tenderness, itchiness, or pain
- Any change in the moles surface such as oozing, bleeding, scaliness, or a bump or lump
What Causes A Skin Tag To Be Painful
Itchy or painful skin tags are not common but do happen. The reason behind the pain or itching is usually because they have become infected or irritated in some way. They can get scratched or twisted due to excessive rubbing and friction of the skin. This can sometimes even cause the skin tag to be pulled off and this can be uncomfortable or painful.
A simple way to prevent this happening is to treat skin tags with care.Avoid clothes and jewelry that rub against the skin tags. The irritation can lead to the skin tags changing color from brown to red or swelling up. It is important to know that most medical conditions associated with painful skin tags are harmless.
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Can Skin Cancer On The Scalp Spread To The Brain
Yes. If left untreated, skin cancer on the scalp can spread from your scalp to other areas of your body, including your brain.
This is known as metastatic cancer or, in some areas, stage IV cancer. Spreading to the brain is a relatively common form of metastatic skin cancer, especially with melanoma, which is part of why early treatment is essential.
How Serious Is My Cancer
If you have skin cancer, the doctor will want to find out how far it has spread. This is called staging.
Basal and squamous cell skin cancers donât spread as often as some other types of cancer, so the exact stage might not be too important. Still, your doctor might want to find out the stage of your cancer to help decide what type of treatment is best for you.
The stage describes the growth or spread of the cancer through the skin. It also tells if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body that are close by or farther away.
Your cancer can be stage 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. The lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, like stage 4, means a more serious cancer that has spread beyond the skin. Be sure to ask the doctor about the cancer stage and what it means for you.
Other things can also help you and your doctor decide how to treat your cancer, such as:
- Where the cancer is on your body
- How fast the cancer has been growing
- If the cancer is causing symptoms, such as being painful or itchy
- If the cancer is in a place that was already treated with radiation
- If you have a weakened immune system
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Should You Get Skin Tags Removed
Skin tags rarely pose a health concern, but you may choose to get skin tags removed for cosmetic reasons.
Discomfort and irritation are among the most common reasons for skin tag removal. However, skin tags are rarely painful unless theyre constantly rubbing against the folds of your skin.
Your doctor may also want to remove a skin growth if they suspect that its instead a skin cancer.
Skin tags usually dont fall off on their own. The only way to completely remove skin tags is via professional procedures done by a dermatologist. Options for removal include:
- Surgery. Your doctor cuts off the skin tag with surgical scissors.
- Cryosurgery. This is a less invasive form of surgery. The skin tag is frozen with liquid nitrogen and then falls off the body within 2 weeks.
- Electrosurgery. Heat produced by an electrical current is used to remove the skin tag.
Over-the-counter products and home remedies may be other options if you want to try something less invasive, but there isnt evidence to suggest theyre better than traditional means.
Talk to your doctor about the following before trying them:
- TagBand, a device that may be purchased at a drugstore for skin tag removal
Signs Of Skin Cancer That You Should Never Ignore
Its the good ol summertime, and with that summer sun comes more time outside. This is the perfect time to go to the beach, go camping in the woods, take long bike rides with your kids, and get skin cancer.
Well, okay, so you dont want the last one, but this can happen when you get excessive sun exposure. Almost all living things need the sunlight to survive. Getting sufficient amounts of vitamin D directly from Mr. Sun is one of the best ways to actually deter certain types of cancer. We need sunlight to grow our food, improve our moods, and live a healthy life.
What most people do, however, is the make the sun an allor-nothing deal. You see people slathered in cocoa butter on the beach, literally frying their skin to make it brown while on the same beach, you will see people with hats and sunglasses, sitting under umbrellas, slathered in sunscreen. What is really needed here is a happy medium. Like everything in nature, there are good and bad elements to everything. Too much water will drown you not enough will dehydrate you to death. Too much food will make you obese not enough will starve your vital organs. The sun is no different. Not enough sun can cause serious health problems too much sun can damage your skin and eyes, and give you skin cancer.
Although the exact cause of melanoma is not clear, it is generally believed to stem from damage to the DNA caused by overexposure to UV light from the sun.
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