Skin Neoplasm, also known as tumors, are stimulated by DNA mutations in your body. Changes in DNA because of mutation would make your cells function differently. This change might cause cancerous cells in the body.
Many things can cause cancerous or non-cancerous neoplasm. These factors are:
What does neoplasm of the skin mean?
Whilst a neoplasm is regarded as a tumor, skin neoplasms are tumors or growths of the skin. Skin neoplasms could be cancerous or non-cancerous.
We could also say that skin neoplasms are overgrown cells. As other normal skin cells develop, divide when supposed to, and die after some time, this is not the case for skin neoplasms.
Skin neoplasms are formed by skin cells that keep growing when they shouldn’t. General symptoms of skin neoplasms include;
- Lesions
- Bleeding moles
- Bumps
- Open sores
- Painful and itchy rashes
There are two kinds of skin neoplasms, cancerous ones, and non-cancerous ones.
Types of skin neoplasm
As said earlier, a skin neoplasm could be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). There are significant differences between both types of skin neoplasm.
A benign skin neoplasm is a non-cancerous growth on the skin. This type of skin neoplasm does not spread to other body tissues but stays in the initial position. Benign skin tumors can form anywhere around your skin. Although they do not pose any health threat, it is best for you to visit a doctor to confirm if it is cancerous or not.
Non-cancerous skin neoplasms although not relatively harmful, should be monitored and inspected regularly for any particular changes. If any change in size, color, or activities are noticed in a non-cancerous skin neoplasm, it is suggested you visit your doctor immediately for a biopsy.
If these changes are absent, but you feel pain in or around the tumor, we also advise that you visit your doctor immediately.
Types of benign neoplasms are;
- Skin tags
- Lipoma
- Sebaceous hyperplasia
- Epidermoid cyst
- Keratoacanthoma
- Seborrheic keratosis
On the other hand, cancerous neoplasms or malignant skin neoplasms are the exact opposite of benign neoplasms. They possess rapid growth and can spread from the skin to other parts of the body, to attack the body tissues and organs. Also, malignant skin neoplasms could produce more tumors in different parts of the body asides from where they are.
This is why regular checkups are suggested and if you spot any kind of swelling on your body quickly consult your doctor as you would not be able to tell if the skin neoplasm is benign or malignant just by glancing at it.
Treatment of malignant neoplasms might involve surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Types of malignant tumors are;
- Skin lymphoma
- Melanoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Kaposi sarcoma
Can a benign neoplasm turn cancerous?
Yes. A benign skin neoplasm could turn cancerous. Benign neoplasms that later turn cancerous are called precancerous neoplasms. Why some benign neoplasms would spontaneously turn cancerous, you could identify the changes early by monitoring them closely.
They can be referred to in different names apart from precancerous neoplasms but in general, it means that a tumor can become cancerous if not treated by a doctor. In certain cases, benign tumors go away on their own but in other cases, they could grow and become cancerous if untreated.
For instance, solar keratosis is scaly enlargement on the skin that forms when the skin is constantly exposed to UV rays. Solar keratosis is flesh-colored and is similar to warts in appearance. If not treated by a doctor, it turns into a squamous cell carcinoma.
What is a neoplasm of uncertain behavior of skin?
Whether malignant or benign, certain neoplasms are referred to as being uncertain or having an uncertain behavior which makes them more dangerous. Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of skin is a skin tumor that has both malignant and benign characteristics. This means that the doctor would require better ways to identify the type of skin neoplasm.
Furthermore, in turn, this means that a skin neoplasm of uncertain behavior does not show cancerous characteristics, and you are not sure if it would spread or not. Contrary to this, there are ways to determine if a neoplasm with an uncertain behavior is cancerous or not. A skin neoplasm of uncertain behavior can be checked by biopsy.
In this process, the doctor cuts out a small tissue of the skin from the affected part and takes it to the lab for a cancer test. To detect cancerous skin neoplasm early, it is recommended that you constantly check your skin for any kind of inflammation or growth. If you notice any of these contacts your doctor immediately.
What is the difference between the neoplasm of uncertain and unspecified?
A skin neoplasm could be unspecified or uncertain. Logically one might ask what is the difference between these two?
The difference is that an uncertain neoplasm has to go through the process of biopsy and pathology test before it can be stated if it is cancerous or non-cancerous. Neoplasms of uncertain behavior of skin can be treated after the type is specified.
While for the neoplasm of unspecified behavior, even after a series of biopsy and pathology tests, their behaviors cannot be understood perfectly nor can their type be specified. Unspecified behaviors of neoplasms also can start with benign but later become cancerous or malignant.
How to treat neoplasm of uncertain behavior of skin
If you ever notice any kind of skin swelling, show it to a doctor, to confirm if it is a skin neoplasm.
If it is a skin neoplasm, the doctor would perform a biopsy to confirm what kind of neoplasm, whether malignant or benign. There are different kinds of biopsies that a dermatologist could perform on your skin.
● Shave biopsy
This type of biopsy involves shaving the top layer of the skin to test it.
● Excisional biopsy
The doctor would use a small knife for this procedure. He would remove both the growth and a small amount of skin around it. Then take it for a biopsy.
Summary
A skin neoplasm is growth around the skin that might be cancerous, non-cancerous, or precancerous. Sometimes, the type might not be known, and it would be a neoplasm of uncertain behavior of skin.
Nevertheless, whether you have a neoplasm or not, it is highly recommended that you always get regular checkups in a hospital. Having a regular cancer check would promise healthy living and if there are cancerous cells, it’s best known early.
Keep in mind to meet a doctor immediately after a tumor on your skin is spotted.
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