Categoria
Skin Cancer Signs
Skin cancer is the most common malignant tumour, but early diagnosis allows for high cure rates and less complex treatments.
What is it?
Skin cancer is the most common malignant tumour in humans.
Although most cases have high cure rates when diagnosed early, delayed diagnosis can compromise the prognosis and require more complex treatments.
The dermatological evaluation of signs and other skin lesions allows the identification of suspicious changes at an early stage, often before they are noticeable to the patient himself.
The most common types of skin cancer include:
Basal cell carcinoma
It is the most common type, usually associated with accumulated sun exposure
Squamous cell carcinoma
With the potential for local invasion and, in some cases, dissemination
Melanoma
It is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, but also the one that benefits the most from early diagnosis
How to identify?
Certain changes in the signs or the appearance of new lesions should prompt dermatological evaluation.
In the case of pigmented moles, the ABCDE rule remains a useful tool:
It is also important to be aware of:
Moles that change in size, shape or color | Lesions that bleed spontaneously | Wounds that do not heal | Persistent spots or crusts | Appearance of new lesions with different characteristics from the others
What are the risk factors?
The development of skin cancer results from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors.
Key risk factors include:
- Accumulated sun exposure throughout life
- Episodes of sunburn, especially during childhood and adolescence
- Fair skin and a tendency to sunburn
- Use of tanning devices
- High number of signals
- Personal or family history of skin cancer
- Immunosuppression
An early diagnosis can make all the difference.
Book your appointment with Dr. João Patrocínio for an accurate diagnosis, close follow-up and treatments adapted to your needs.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Dermatological clinical evaluation is complemented by dermoscopy, a non-invasive technique that allows the analysis of structures invisible to the naked eye and significantly increases diagnostic accuracy.
When there is clinical suspicion, biopsy or excision of the lesion may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment depends on the type of tumor, location, and extent of the disease, and may include:
At what age do they manifest themselves?
Skin cancer can manifest at any age, although the risk increases progressively with advancing years due to the accumulation of damage caused by ultraviolet radiation.
basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas appear mainly in patients over 50 years of age, as a result of accumulated sun exposure throughout life.
50+
melanoma
Melanoma, which is also common at an advanced age, is one of the most common forms of cancer in young adults, often manifesting itself between the ages of 30 and 50.
30-50
When to schedule the 1st appointment?
- You should schedule your first appointment as soon as you notice any change in the ABCDE rule in an old mole or if you notice the appearance of a new skin lesion.
- It is advisable for adults with multiple moles, very fair skin or a family history of skin cancer to have a routine initial evaluation, even without warning symptoms.
- Timely scheduling establishes a basis for comparison for future examinations, optimizing surveillance and long-term patient safety.
The daily impact and clinical support in consultation
- The suspicion or diagnosis of a malignant lesion usually generates anxiety and fear about the prognosis and necessary treatments.
- Regular clinical support in consultation provides a space for clarification and continuous monitoring, reducing the emotional impact.
- Consultations help to clarify doubts about surgical procedures or topical treatments, promoting the patient’s peace of mind.
- Specialized medical follow-up offers guidance adapted to each case, ensuring a safe and individualized approach at all stages.
Effective prevention and photoprotection measures
The daily application of sunscreen with a high factor on exposed areas is the most important preventive measure.
You should avoid direct sun exposure during the hottest hours, favoring the use of a hat and sunglasses.
Regular skin self-examination helps the patient to become familiar with their lesions and to detect changes early.
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