Skin Cancers

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  • QWhat are the stages of Merkel cell carcinoma?
    1 Answer
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    Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    Like most types of cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma can be classified according to stage. The stages, which are given roman numerals from 0 to IV, describe how far the cancer has advanced. Stages are determined by considering several characteristics, including the size of the tumor and how far the cancer has spread. The stages are:

    • Stage 0: tumor is very small and confined to the upper layers of skin.
    • Stage I: tumor is under 2 centimeters in diameter and hasn't spread.
    • Stage II: tumor is larger than 2 centimeters and may have spread to nearby tissue like bone, muscle, connective tissue, or cartilage.
    • Stage III: tumor is any size and has spread to nearby tissue and lymph nodes.
    • Stage IV: tumor is any size and has spread to distant organs, such as the lung, liver, bone, or brain.
  • QCan Kaposi sarcoma be prevented?
    1 Answer
    A
    Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    You may not be able to prevent Kaposi sarcoma, but there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing the disease. Because it's caused by herpesvirus 8, the best thing you can do to prevent Kaposi sarcoma is to avoid this virus. In the United States, most Kaposi sarcoma occurs in people with AIDS, so preventing AIDS may also help prevent Kaposi sarcoma. You can help reduce your risk of getting AIDS by avoiding unprotected sex. Another way to reduce the risk of AIDS is by avoiding recreational drugs that are injected, since it can be spread by dirty needles. People who are HIV-positive can help prevent Kaposi sarcoma by getting treated for HIV with antiviral medications.

  • QHow do I manage my Merkel cell carcinoma on a daily basis?
    1 Answer
    A
    Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    Managing your Merkel cell carcinoma on a daily basis begins with treatment. It's important to get treatment right away since Merkel cell carcinoma can spread very quickly. Once you've been treated, you should check in with your doctor regularly to make sure the cancer hasn't come back or spread. It's also very important to continue checking your own skin frequently, because Merkel cell carcinoma recursManaging your Merkel cell carcinoma on a daily basis begins with treatment. It's important to get treatment right away since Merkel cell carcinoma can spread very quickly. Once you've been treated, you should check in with your doctor regularly to make sure the cancer hasn't come back or spread. It's also very important to continue checking your own skin frequently, because Merkel cell carcinoma recurs in about half of all cases, even after treatment. Protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen and protective clothing. Being diagnosed with and treated for Merkel cell carcinoma can cause a lot of emotional stress, so make sure to take care of your emotional health by relying on resources like social workers, support groups, and friends and family.
     in about half of all cases, even after treatment. Protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen and protective clothing. Being diagnosed with and treated for Merkel cell carcinoma can cause a lot of emotional stress, so make sure to take care of your emotional health by relying on resources like social workers, support groups, and friends and family.

  • QCan Merkel cell carcinoma be prevented?
    1 Answer
    A
    Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    Unfortunately, Merkel cell carcinoma can't really be prevented. However, there are some things you can do that may reduce your risk for the disease. Since sun exposure is a significant risk factor, do your best to protect your skin from the sun. Avoid going outside during the sun's strongest hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and use sunscreen year-round. Also, make sure to be checking your skin regularly for any unusual growths or bumps. Since Merkel cell carcinoma develops very quickly, talk to your doctor right away so you can best prevent the cancer from spreading.

  • QHow is Kaposi sarcoma (KS) diagnosed?
    1 Answer
    A
    Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    The first step in diagnosing Kaposi sarcoma is usually a physical exam that includes an inspection of your skin and a review of your medical history. Then, if doctors suspect Kaposi sarcoma, they will perform a biopsy, which involves removing all or part of the tumor and analyzing it under a microscope. If doctors think that Kaposi sarcoma may be in the lungs, they may use a chest x-ray or a bronchoscopy, which involves putting a tiny tube with a camera down the throat and into the lungs. If doctors think it may be in the digestive tract, they may use different types of endoscopy, which uses a thin tube to look in areas like the stomach and intestine to check for Kaposi sarcoma.

  • QHow do I manage my Kaposi sarcoma on a daily basis?
    1 Answer
    A
    Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    Managing your Kaposi sarcoma on a daily basis starts with getting treatment. Treatment may depend on how far your Kaposi sarcoma has advanced and your overall medical condition. Once you've been treated, it's important to check in with your doctor regularly to make sure the cancer hasn't come back or spread. The relationship with your doctors is especially important if you have AIDS or a compromised immune system for other reasons, because you will need to continue treating those conditions even after you've been treated for Kaposi sarcoma. It's also important to care for your general health because other infections could make Kaposi sarcoma and other immune issues worse. You should take care of your emotional health, too, by relying on resources like counseling, support groups, and friends and family.

  • QWhat is basal cell carcinoma?
    5 Answers
    A
    RealAge
    A answered
    Basal cell skin cancer is the most common type of skin cancer in the United States. It is more common in skin that has been exposed to lots of ultraviolet light, especially sunlight. The cancer occurs in the skin's basal cells, found in the deepest part of the upper layer of skin, called the epidermis. On the skin surface, a basal cell skin cancer may appear as:
    • a pink or flesh-colored round growth with apparent blood vessels
    • a brown, black, or speckled brown/black lesion
    • a scaly patch of pinkish, shiny skin
    • a flesh-colored waxy scar-like lesion
    • a sore that bleeds easily, oozes, crusts, sinks in the middle and won't heal permanently
    • an itchy, painful lesion (rare)
    Basal cell skin cancer rarely spreads to other body parts and is almost never fatal. However, it can be disfiguring and should be diagnosed and treated.
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  • QWhat are the symptoms of Kaposi sarcoma?
    1 Answer
    A
    Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    The main symptoms of Kaposi sarcoma are dark, flat patches of skin. These patches, called lesions, may be red, purple, or dark brown. The lesions may break open and bleed, and they can be found almost anywhere on the body, including internal organs and especially the digestive tract. Usually, multiple lesions will appear at one time, even if they're not all visible. Most of the time, they don't cause any other symptoms. However, in some cases, the lesions may be swollen and very painful. This is especially the case if they appear in the mouth or groin area.

  • QShould I talk to my doctor about my Kaposi sarcoma symptoms?
    1 Answer
    A
    Regional Medical Center
    A answered

    If you notice symptoms of Kaposi sarcoma, you should talk to your doctor right away. Suspicious symptoms may include blotchy patches on the skin that are purple, red, or brown. Bloody stool or a painful mouth sore may indicate Kaposi sarcoma in the digestive tract. By the time people notice any symptoms, multiple tumors are often already formed, and it can continue to spread throughout the body in just a few months. If it's caught early, there's a much better chance of successful treatment. Because Kaposi sarcoma can have a much more severe effect in people with HIV or AIDS, it's especially important for those people to see a doctor immediately if they notice symptoms of Kaposi sarcoma.

  • QHow does skin cancer affect the body?
    1 Answer
    A
    Regional Medical Center
    A answered
    Skin cancer begins in the cells that make up the epidermis -- the top layer of skin. When the DNA that controls the cells' growth is damaged, it causes an overgrowth and buildup of skin cells. Eventually, this skin cell buildup forms a tumor, which results in the symptoms you see, such as irregular spots, red bumps, or scaly patches on your skin. Skin cancer most commonly affects areas of skin that are exposed to the sun but may develop almost anywhere on the body, including underneath fingernails and in the genital area. If left untreated, skin cancer can grow deep into the skin and spread through the rest of the body, causing serious complications.