skin cancer
Sun damage disease
Skin cancer is cancer originating in the skin, typically caused by cumulative sun exposure or tanning bed use.
The three main types—basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma—range from slow-growing and rarely fatal to aggressive and life-threatening.
The dermatologist removed a small skin cancer from his nose.
Early detection dramatically improves outcomes.
Wavelengths shorter than violet
- UVALong-wave ultraviolet
- UVBMedium-wave ultraviolet light
- sunburnUV-induced skin inflammation
- tanningCuring hides or bronzing
photodamage · photoaging · sunbed · sunlamp · beach · altitude · reflection · ozone
UV-blocking skin cream
- SPFUltraviolet defense measure
- broad spectrumCovering many categories
- protective clothingGarments worn for safety
- hatGarment for the head
sunglasses · shade · UV index · self-examination · screening · reapplication · lip balm · early detection
Outermost tissue layer
- dermisLiving tissue under epidermis
- melanocyteCell that produces melanin
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
- lesionArea of pathological change
nevus · nodule · ulceration · crusting · tumor · subcutaneous · lymph nodes · metastasis
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- dermoscopyMagnified skin surface examination
- histologyStudy of tissue structure
- cytologyStudy of cells
- stagingPreparing for presentation
asymmetry · border · color · diameter · evolving · punch biopsy · imaging · prognosis
Cutting out of tissue
- cryotherapyTreatment using extreme cold
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
- chemotherapyAnti-cancer drug treatment
- immunotherapyDisease treatment via body's defenses
targeted therapy · curettage · topical treatment · reconstruction · clinical trials · palliative care · interferon
Forming small pigmented spots
- family historyRecord of ancestors
- immunosuppressionReduced bodily defense activation
- ageDuration of existence
- tanning bedsUV exposure booths
genetics · organ transplant · radiation exposure · HPV · albinism
ultraviolet
Wavelengths shorter than violet
tanning · photodamage · photoaging · sunbed · sunlamp · beach · altitude · reflection · ozone · latitude
sunscreen
UV-blocking skin cream
- SPFUltraviolet defense measure
- broad spectrumCovering many categories
- protective clothingGarments worn for safety
hat · sunglasses · shade · UV index · self-examination · screening · reapplication · lip balm · early detection
epidermis
Outermost tissue layer
- dermisLiving tissue under epidermis
- melanocyteCell that produces melanin
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
lesion · nevus · nodule · ulceration · crusting · tumor · subcutaneous · lymph nodes · metastasis
biopsy
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- dermoscopyMagnified skin surface examination
- histologyStudy of tissue structure
- cytologyStudy of cells
staging · asymmetry · border · color · diameter · evolving · punch biopsy · imaging · prognosis
excision
Cutting out of tissue
- cryotherapyTreatment using extreme cold
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
- chemotherapyAnti-cancer drug treatment
immunotherapy · targeted therapy · curettage · topical treatment · reconstruction · clinical trials · palliative care · interferon
melanoma
Aggressive pigment-cell cancer
freckling
Forming small pigmented spots
- family historyRecord of ancestors
- immunosuppressionReduced bodily defense activation
- ageDuration of existence
tanning beds · genetics · organ transplant · radiation exposure · HPV · albinism
- health conditionsdiabetes, heart disease, asthma, hypertension, arthritis
- skin conditionseczema, psoriasis, hives, dermatitis, rash
- weather healthheat stress, heat stroke, heatstroke, hypothermia, frostbite
- radiobiologyradiobiology, DNA damage, mutations, ionizing radiation, cell damage
- Skin Pathologymelanoma, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, histopathology
- Skin Cancermelanoma, BCC, moles, lesion, nevus