Skin Cancer

Most skin tumors are benign
•Cause of cancer is unknown, but probably due to overexposure to ultraviolet radiation in the sunlight
•Threemain types of skin cancer :
•Basal cell carcinoma
•The most common type of skin tumor; usually benign.
•Cells of stratum basale are affected ,  they cannot form keratin and begin to invade into the dermis.
•Surgical removal (given that early detection is done) is 99% successful .
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
•arises form keratinocytes in stratum spinosum .
•mostly in the scalp , ears , or hands.
•grows and migrates rapidly.
•early detection is critical for successful treatment.
Malignant Melanoma –most dangerous
•cancer of the melanocyets in stratum basale.
•only 5% of all skin cancer , but the frequency is increasing.
•grow and migrates extremely rapidly .
•usually deadly.

Burns biology

First degree burns: only the epidermis is damaged with redness and swelling .

•Second degree burns: epidermis & upper region of dermis is involved. There is Redness, swelling, and blisters.

•Third degree burns: all layers of skin burned (most severe). Skin graft is necessary to repair. Skin looks cherry red or blacken