Skin cancer can show up anywhere on the body, but it's most common on those areas that are exposed to the sun day in and day out. The face is especially subject to cancer development and with the nose being the most prominent feature, it tends to see the majority of facial cancer diagnoses. There are numerous skin cancer types, all of which bear different symptoms. Treatment is available for all types, although one's prognosis will depend on the type of cancer and when it was diagnosed.
Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma Symptoms
One type of skin cancer is called sebaceous gland carcinoma. It's relatively rare and can be be quite aggressive. Originating in the oil glands, this cancer can spread quickly if not diagnosed early. The typical symptoms involve the development of hard nodules on the skin that do not hurt when touched.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Symptoms
Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer type that's very easy to treat, if it is diagnosed in an early stage. It doesn't spread very easily and shows up anywhere on the body in one of two forms: it can appear as a scaly lesion or it might be a hard nodule that's very red.
Kaposi Sarcoma Symptoms
Kaposi sarcoma is a very rare type of skin cancer that affects the blood vessels of the skin. It's rare and tends to spread to other parts of the body quickly. This cancer appears on the body in red patches, due to the blood vessel inflammation. Mucus membranes can also be affected.
The most dangerous of skin cancer forms is called melanoma. It causes numerous deaths because it grows and spreads quickly. Melanoma can form anywhere on the body or can show up in an existing mole. The most common symptoms include a mole that changes at some point, lesions that are darker than your regular skin, a brown lesion with black or dark brown spots and a sore that has blue, red or white spots.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Symptoms
The most commonly diagnosed type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. It doesn't spread easily and is fairly simple to treat, if it is diagnosed early. It usually shows up in one of two configurations --- either a brownish lesion or a bump that has a pearl-like quality.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma Symptoms
A very rare form of skin cancer is called Merkel cell carcinoma. It affects the hair follicles and is harder to treat because it grows so fast. It also has a tendency to spread to other parts of the body quickly, increasing the likelihood of complications. It can show up as a small nodule or one as big as two inches across with a blue, pink or red colouring.