What are the common types of skin cancer? Posted on January 31, 2022February 10, 2022 by Isabelle Dunster What is skin cancer? Skin cancer occurs when skin cells grow abnormally, often after the skin is exposed to the sun. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer anywhere in the world. This is due largely to our climate, the fact that many of us have fair skin, and our proximity to the equator (high UV levels). How many types of skin cancer are there? There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Other, less common types of skin cancer, include: Kaposi sarcoma is a rare form of skin cancer that develops in the skin’s blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes.Merkel cell carcinoma causes firm, shiny nodules that occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. Merkel cell carcinoma is most often found on the head, neck and trunk.Sebaceous gland carcinoma is an uncommon and aggressive cancer originating in the oil glands. Sebaceous gland carcinomas, usually appearing as hard, painless nodules can develop anywhere, but most occur on the eyelid. Read on to learn more about the three major types of skin cancers, their signs and treatment. Basal Cell Skin Cancer What is Basal Cell Skin Cancer? Basal cell skin cancer occurs in the basal cells, a type of skin cell that produces new cells as the old ones die. Basal cell skin cancer is the most common form of skin cancer. What are the signs of Basal Cell Skin Cancer? Basal cell skin cancer usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck or face. It usually presents as a small, clear bump on the skin. Basal cell carcinoma may appear as a: · Bump with a pearly appearance · Flat brown or flesh-coloured lesion · Bleeding or scabbing sore How is basal cell skin cancer treated? Basal cell skin cancer is often treated with surgery to remove the cancer and some of the healthy tissue around it. Surgical options include: Surgical excision: in this procedure, your doctor cuts out the cancerous lesion and a surrounding margin of healthy skin. The margin is examined under a microscope to be sure there are no cancer cells.Mohs surgery: during Mohs surgery, the doctor removes the cancer layer by layer, examining each layer under the microscope until no abnormal cells remain. Squamous cell skin cancer What is Squamous Cell Skin Cancer? Squamous cell skin cancer is the second most common form of skin cancer, after basal cell skin cancer. Squamous cell skin cancer is characterised by abnormal, accelerated growth of squamous cells, located near the surface of the skin. What are the signs of squamous cell skin cancer? Squamous cell skin cancer usually occurs on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, ears and hands. People with darker skin are more likely to develop squamous cell skin cancer on areas that aren’t often exposed to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a: · Firm red nodule · Flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface How is squamous cell skin cancer treated? Most squamous cell skin cancers can be completely removed with relatively minor surgery. Surgical options include: Curettage and electrodessication: a procedure to remove the surface of the skin cancer with a scraping instrument (curet) and then searing the base of the cancer with an electric needle.Laser therapy: an intense beam of light vaporizes growths, usually with little damage to surrounding tissue and with a reduced risk of bleeding, swelling and scarring.Freezing: this treatment involves freezing cancer cells with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery). It is the preferred option for treating superficial skin lesions. Melanoma skin cancer What is melanoma? Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes – a cell that produces and contains the pigment called melanin. Melanoma skin cancer is much less common than basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, however, it is far more dangerous as it is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body if it’s not caught early. What are the signs of melanoma? Melanoma tumours are usually brown or black, but they can also appear pink, tan or even white. They can look like: · A large brownish spot with darker speckles · A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds · A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, pink, white, blue or blue-black · A painful lesion that itches or burns How is melanoma treated? Surgery is the most common treatment for melanoma skin cancer, however its purpose varies depending on how far the cancer has progressed. For later-stage melanoma skin cancer, surgery is used as a diagnostic tool to assess how far the cancer has spread. Patients may require more invasive surgery to remove lymph nodes. How can you prevent skin cancer? You can lower your risk of developing skin cancer by following some sun safety tips: Avoid exposing your skin to the sun, and don’t tan!Wear protective clothing like long sleeve shirts and wetsuits in the water.Wear sunscreen every day, even if it’s overcast. A broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays should be reapplied every 2 hours when your skin is exposed to sun. Avoid peak times of 12pm-2pm when the sun is at its highest, find a shady spot during this time. What skin cancer research has ACRF funded? In 2019 ACRF awarded $9.9M to the Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, to establish the Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis (ACEMID). ACEMID aims to reduce the annual melanoma death toll by using sophisticated 3D imaging systems to produce whole-body scans that can be monitored over time. These scans create patient ‘avatars’, enabling melanoma to be detected earlier. In addition to the $10M of ACEMID funding, ACRF has funded $7.08M in brilliant skin cancer research in Australia and provided seed-funding of $5M to Westmead Institute for Cancer Research to construct 2 word-class melanoma research laboratories in 2011. New skin cancer research facilities and technology are innovating the way we prevent, detect and treat skin cancer. Your support is integral in bringing us closer to a world without cancer. The good news is, you can help back brilliant cancer research by donating today.
Australian melanoma rates improve Posted on April 13, 2016March 19, 2018 by Carly du Toit A study found that rates of invasive melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, have started to decline in Australia and are predicted to keep falling over the next 15 years. Researchers at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute have found that Australia no longer has the highest per capita rates of invasive melanoma in the world, after being overtaken by New Zealand. Researchers compared the rates of melanoma in six populations over a 30-year period from 1982 to 2011. The six populations were Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, and the caucasian population of the United States. The researchers found that melanoma rates in Australia increased from about 30 cases per 100,000 people in 1982 and peaked at nearly 49 cases per 100,000 people in 2005. The rates then declined to about 48 cases per 100,000 people in 2011. Invasive melanoma rates in New Zealand reached about 50 cases per 100,000 people in 2011. Professor David Whiteman, who led the study, said Australia was the only one of the six populations where melanoma rates had begun to fall overall. “We think the main reason for this decline is that Australia has put a huge effort into primary prevention campaigns since the 1980s,” Professor Whiteman said. “Australians have become more ‘sun smart’ as they have become more aware of the dangers of melanoma and other skin cancers. Schools, workplaces and childcare centres have also introduced measures to decrease exposure to harmful UV radiation.” “This has contributed to a decline in melanoma rates in people under the age of about 50.” “Unfortunately, rates of melanoma are still increasing in people over the age of about 50. This is probably because many older people had already sustained sun damage before the prevention campaigns were introduced, and those melanomas are only appearing now, many decades after the cancer-causing exposure to sunlight occurred.” Despite the fall in average melanoma rates per 100,000 people, the overall number of invasive melanomas diagnosed in Australia is still rising and is expected to increase from 11,162 cases per year from 2007-2011, to 12,283 cases per year from 2012-2016. Professor Whiteman said this was due to the ageing of the Australian population, as well as overall population growth. “Melanomas occur most commonly in older people. As Australia’s population ages, the number of melanomas diagnosed will continue to increase,” he said. “The picture in Australia at the moment is mixed. While it’s good news that average melanoma rates have started to fall, the fact that the actual number of cases is still rising is bad news.” The Australian Cancer Research Foundation has supported cancer research at QMRI Berghofer by providing three grants, totalling AUD 6.65million towards cutting edge cancer research equipment and technology.
International gene study identifies five new melanoma risk regions Posted on August 24, 2015March 14, 2018 by Carly du Toit An international study led by QIMR Berghofer cancer researcher, Dr Matthew Law, has uncovered five new gene regions which increase a person’s risk of melanoma. Melanoma is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, and although there are effective treatment options available to those who detect it early, the five-year survival rate of patients with more advanced cases is only 10%. “Each day around 30 Australians are diagnosed with melanoma, and from that more than 12 hundred a year lose their battle with the disease,” says Dr Law. “So each little piece of knowledge that we uncover is crucial as it affects the overall picture and helps us to continue to develop and improve the ways we detect and treat it.” The study found five new regions of the genome associated with melanoma and formally confirmed two more that were suspected to be risk factors. This research takes the total number of known melanoma gene risk regions to 20. “Most of the major gene risk regions previously identified are associated with pigmentation, or the number of moles a person has. The five new gene regions we’ve discovered are from different pathways, so it’s yet another piece to add to the melanoma puzzle.” “Out of the new regions that were found, the most interesting biologically, was one involved with the maintenance, development and length of the telomeres. Telomeres are like shoelace caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect our chromosomes from damage. We know that loss or damage to telomeres is a key factor in the development of cancer cells.” Over 12 thousand melanoma samples were used for the project, making it the largest genome wide association study (GWAS) to identify variations associated with melanoma. The international collaboration of researchers from QIMR and the Melanoma Genetics Consortium (GenoMEL) are now preparing for an even larger study which is expected to find more markers of risk. “Our long term goal is to find drugs that modify the pathways that we’re identifying – that way we’ll be able to alter specific activity and bring it back to normal.” “It’s very exciting to find something new about a serious condition – that’s the joy of doing this kind of research. Working in science is all about discovering new things that haven’t been seen or understood before and hopefully add a bit more knowledge to the world.” QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute has received $6.65 million in grants from the ACRF which has funded technology to progress research in colon, breast, ovarian, prostate, leukaemia, lymphoma and melanoma. The original article was published on the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research website.
New discovery a sign of hope for melanoma patients Posted on July 10, 2015March 14, 2018 by Carly du Toit After four years of dedicated research, PhD student Mitchell Stark has made a remarkable discovery at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, a facility which has been awarded three grants from the ACRF. He has uncovered new markers which will help increase the speed, accuracy and accessibility of tests that monitor the progression of Melanoma. Mr. Stark’s study has revealed that elevated levels of microRNA’s, which are tiny molecules that regulate the amount of protein in a gene, can indicate that the cancer is at risk of spreading. “They are highly sensitive and specific, and are significantly better than markers currently being used,” says Mr. Stark. “In specimens from stage IV patients, the new biomarkers confirmed tumour progression in 100% of cases.” Mr. Stark said this is significant because it will allow patients to start treatment before metastatic disease is clinically evident, which could greatly improve a patient’s chance of survival. “Patients with stage III melanoma, with spread confined to regional lymph nodes, have a five-year survival rate of about 50%, compared to less than 15% if metastases are widespread.” In addition to the accuracy, another positive is the method in which the testing is done. All that is required from a patient for the markers to be detected is a routine blood test. This will better identify the group of patients that require additional expensive and stressful tests such as CT scans. Queensland Science Minister Leeanne Enoch said the research represents a significant advance for melanoma patients. “This is an excellent example of the world-leading research at QIMR Berghofer which has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of patients in Queensland and around the world.” QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute has received $6.65 million in grants from the ACRF which has funded technology to progress research in colon, breast, ovarian, prostate, leukaemia, lymphoma and melanoma. The original article was published on the AIMR Berghofer Medical Research website.
New melanoma treatment triggers 20-fold improvement Posted on April 17, 2015March 14, 2018 by Carly du Toit Studies conducted by cancer scientists at The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute (UQDI) have found a new experimental drug called Anisina significantly increases the effectiveness of existing therapies used to treat melanoma. Around 12,500 Australians are diagnosed each year with malignant melanoma and it is responsible for over 1,500 deaths. It is a notoriously difficult cancer to treat, due to the number of mutations that make the cancerous cells difficult to target. Errors in the ‘BRAF’ gene have been identified as among the most prominent mutations, and two drugs that target ‘BRAF’ (vemurafenib and dabrafenib) have been developed and approved for use in recent years. However no targeted therapy exists for the 50% of melanoma patients whose tumors do not have this most prominent mutation. As a result, developing a new drug that is effective across all mutations has become a focus in current cancer research. Cancer scientists have found that when Anisina is partnered with existing drugs it helps destroy two key parts of the cancer cell’s skeleton, resulting in a 20-fold increase in the anti-cancer effect of the other drugs. This benefits all melanoma patients fighting cancer as the new drug targets melanoma cells regardless of their mutational status. Nikolas Haass MD PhD conducted the research studies along with Brian Gabrielli PhD. Dr. Haass said, “These findings from the preliminary screen with Anisina are exciting. Finding a compound that is equally effective against a wide panel of melanoma cell types irrespective of the genetic background has been a long-held goal.” Justine Stehn PhD, Novogen Anti-Tropomyosin Program Director, said, ” The idea that we now have a means of making melanoma cells respond to potent anticancer drugs is an exciting development for patients with melanoma.” Plans are now underway to bring Anisine into the clinic by early 2016. The ACRF is proud to have provided $6.2 million to support the work of UQDI’s world-class researchers in recent years. This information was originally published by Novogen website and can be found here.
Skin Cancer Prevention – Promising Results Posted on May 22, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit A study by researchers at Brisbane’s QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute has revealed some very promising statistics about one of Australia’s most deadly cancers – Melanoma. With an estimated 12,000 people diagnosed with melanoma in 2012 it is Australia’s third most common cancer type. The study, which analysed melanoma cases among 15 to 24 year olds in Queensland from 1982 to 2010, has shown there has been a five per cent a year decline among teenagers and young adults developing the disease from the mid-1990s to 2010. Additionally, for people aged 20 to 24, the rate has fallen from 25 cases per 100,000 in 1996 to 14 per 100,000 in 2010. Continue reading “Skin Cancer Prevention – Promising Results”
10-year trial of melanoma vaccine shows most promising outcomes to date Posted on April 21, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a new trial vaccine which offers the most promising treatment to date for advanced melanoma. Known as ‘vaccinia melanoma cell lysate’ (VMCL), this new trial treatment was given regularly to 54 South Australian patients with advanced, inoperable melanoma over a 10-year period. The vaccine has been found to increase patient survival rates, with the ability to stop or reverse the cancer in some patients. Continue reading “10-year trial of melanoma vaccine shows most promising outcomes to date”
Starving cells could treat one of Australia’s deadliest diseases Posted on February 26, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Australia has the highest rate of melanoma, globally. It is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and is the third most common cancer type in Australia. But Australian researchers at the Centenary Institute have bought hope to this statistic through the discovery that we could potentially treat, and even cure, melanoma by cutting off its food source. Last year the same team of researchers, led by Professor Jeff Holst, showed they could starve prostate cancer cells. This discovery has opened up the prospect of a class of drugs that could treat a range of cancers, including melanoma, in the same way. Continue reading “Starving cells could treat one of Australia’s deadliest diseases”
Melanoma Genome Project will map out future for skin cancer cures Posted on August 24, 2012February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research, the Hon. Jillian Skinner has today officially launched the Australian Melanoma Genome Project, an ambitious cancer research program that aims to identify the common gene mutations that lead to melanoma. The $5.5 million project could take 2-5 years and is being undertaken by a research coalition of teams from the Melanoma Institute Australia, the University of Sydney, Westmead Millennium Institute, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW Health Pathology and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. More than 500 melanoma tumour samples will be screened and analysed in order to determine common genetic characteristics for this most deadly and prevalent type of cancer. Continue reading “Melanoma Genome Project will map out future for skin cancer cures”
Research news: winter 2012 edition Posted on June 15, 2012February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit In the Winter edition of the Research Review: ‘Breast cancer’ has been reclassified into approximately ten separate diseases after a landmark UK study. A US trial for a new HER-2 positive breast cancer treatment, or medical ‘smart-bomb’, is shown to extend life expectancy with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. Brain tumours in nine out of ten patients with metastisised melanoma have shrunk in a clinical trial run by Westmead Millennium Institute for Cancer Research.
Discovery motivates new cancer research into melanoma risk Posted on December 20, 2011February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Two ACRF-funded cancer research centres have worked in collaboration to discover a mutant gene that increases the risk of melanoma in approximately 200,000 Australians. The gene, known as MITF, is known for regulating pigmentation – turning the skin brown after exposure to the sun, for example. But cancer researchers at the Westmead Institute of Cancer Research (a 2011 ACRF grant awardee) together with the Queensland Institute of Medical Research have found that in many Australians, MITF is mutated, working abnormally to increase the risk that sunlight or other causes will cause malignant melanomas by 250%. Continue reading “Discovery motivates new cancer research into melanoma risk”
Interesting Facts About Skin Cancer and Melanoma | ACRF Posted on March 15, 2005April 8, 2021 by Carly du Toit As a country, Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer and melanoma in the world. The majority of those with skin cancer or melanoma is due the exposure to UV radiation in the form of sunlight. Skin Cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the skin. While Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes. Skin Cancer and Melanoma interesting facts With these cancers so prominent in Australia, it is important you know all the facts. To help, here are some interesting facts on skin cancer and melanoma: Skin Cancer interesting facts: There are three main types of skin cancer, all strongly related to sun exposure, and all extremely common in Australia. The first two, are the most common forms of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas Each year more than 374,000 people in Australia are diagnosed with the: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These two diseases are the least life-threatening and fortunately are very slow to spread. There are ways to prevent most non-melanoma skin cancers and to detect them early when they do arise before they have a chance to threaten function and life. When treated early, the vast majority of these cancers are curable. Most people who are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancers are age 50 or older, but because these diseases often are a result of too much exposure to the sun, everyone — even the youngest toddlers — should take precautions against them. In Denmark each year, there are approximately 13,000 new cases of skin cancer diagnosed: 12,000 are non-melanoma basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cancers, seen mostly in elderly people. The remainder are melanomas, and most often this cancer strikes young people between 20 and 30 years old Over 90% of all cases of skin cancer in Denmark sun responsible for all cases of skin cancer, perhaps because of the impact of exposure to ultraviolet light in people with the northern hemisphere fair skin type. Melanoma interesting facts: Melanoma, which arises in the same cells in the skin that give rise to moles, is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, and one of the most aggressive of all types of human cancer. It is now the second most common cancer in men and women in NSW. Melanoma – is more common in Australia than any other country. The melanoma incidence rates in Australia and New Zealand are around four times higher than those found in Canada, the UK and the US and up to ten times higher than in other countries. Melanoma causes more productive years of life lost than most cancers because there are a large number of people affected in earlier life. Melanoma risk is highest in the lower latitude areas where there are high levels of ambient UV. Excluding melanoma, Tasmania has the highest incidence rate for all cancers combined and the highest mortality rates for both males and females while NSW has the lowest mortality rates. Most melanomas are treatable if detected early However, mortality rates for melamona in Australia are quite low compared to other countries. Causes of Skin Cancer and Melanoma Australia has an incidence many times higher than most other Western countries, and this is thought mainly to be due to very high levels of environmental ultraviolet light exposure in people with northern fair skins. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the single most important cause of skin cancer, especially when the overexposure resulted in sunburn and blistering. Other, less common causes of skin cancer include repeated exposure to x-rays and exposure to coal tar, arsenic, and other industrial compounds. Facts about people who are at high-risks of Skin Cancer and Melanoma The lifetime melanoma risk for the average Australian is about one in 25. However, a combination of genetics, environment, and lifestyle can make the development of melanoma much more common in some people. The main risk for getting melanoma seems to be episodic severe sunburning in childhood and teenage years People who sunburn easily and tan poorly, people with a family or personal history of melanoma, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher-than-average risk for developing melanoma Sunlight provides much that is beneficial and even necessary to life and good health. Tanning and burning, however, are not among those benefits — there is no such thing as a “healthy tan.” Although it’s clear that UV radiation can damage DNA, and that high levels of sun exposure are associated with melanoma risk, the exact relationship between UV exposure and melanoma remains unclear. Over the past decade, researchers have discovered that the tanning response begins only after DNA in skin cells has been damaged by exposure to sunlight. Other, less common causes of skin cancer include repeated exposure to x-rays and exposure to coal tar, arsenic, and other industrial compounds. Although the exact wavelengths and timing of the solar radiation associated with different types of skin cancer are under investigation, the basic preventive lesson remains the same: protect your skin from the sun. Skin Types It is interesting to note that human beings almost certainly all started off with black skins, but as they migrated to areas with low sunlight, they evolved to have fairer skins because this gave them the advantage of being able to make vitamin D under conditions of lower sunlight exposure. Vitamin D is activated in the skin under the influence of sunlight and is essential for bone health. Such changes in skin colour take place over millions of years, and the descendants of the Caucasian people who migrated to Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries obviously still have the fair skin of their ancestors which means that they generally tan poorly, and burn easily. Treatment of Melanoma Melanoma is usually treated with surgical removal of the primary tumor. Melanoma cells tend to invade the bloodstream, migrate, and lodge in distant organs such as the liver, lung and brain, where they form secondary tumours that are often untreatable. Treatment of more advanced melanoma could involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Secondary or “metastatic” melanoma occurs commonly in young adults, and fewer than 5% of people with metastatic melanoma survive two years. As yet we have no effective drug treatments and most medical care is directed towards comfort and palliation. Facts about basal cell carcinoma The most common cancer in humans worldwide. Basal cell carcinomas are most often found on the face, neck, hands, or other parts of the body that have been exposed to the sun. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the single most important cause of skin cancer, especially when the exposure resulted in sunburn and blistering. This type of cancer can have many different appearances: a red patch or irritated area; a small, pink pearly bump; a white or yellow scar-like area; a smooth growth with a dent in the center; or an open sore that bleeds or oozes. Basal cell carcinomas rarely spread throughout the body and deaths from them are very rare; however, because they often occur on the face, their locally destructive effects can result in serious cosmetic deformity if not diagnosed and treated early. Basal cell carcinomas are highly curable with both surgical and non-surgical therapy. Treatment options may include curettage and electrodesiccation, radiation therapy, standard excision, and other individualized approaches. Facts about squamous cell carcinomas Squamous cell carcinomas account for about 20 percent of skin cancers in Australia and have an excellent cure rate when detected early. They arise from the upper levels of the epidermis, usually in places that have been exposed to the sun. Squamous cell carcinomas are most commonly found on the ears, the face, and the mouth. They tend to occur in people who are slightly older than those who get basal cell tumors. Often it comes from a precancerous lesion known as keratosis (sometimes called solar keratosis), which appears as a rough, flat pink spot. If the lesion becomes cancerous, it is raised above the normal skin surface. Squamous cell tumors tend to be more aggressive than basal cell tumors, and are slightly more likely to spread to other parts of the bod Most squamous cell carcinomas can be cured with minor surgery. Treatment options may include curettage and electrodesiccation, radiation therapy or standard excision. Overexposure to UV radiation (UVB radiation in particular) is the most common risk factor associated with squamous cell carcinoma. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the single most important cause of skin cancer, especially when the exposure resulted in sunburn and blistering. Sources Professor Richard Kefford, Westmead Millenium Institute Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre website at http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/390.cfm
