Pathological proliferation of cells in any skin area, including the skin of the face and head, is referred to as neoplasms. Neoplasms differ in the degree of differentiation of cells, the ability to metastasize to other organs and lymph nodes, and also cause intoxication and exhaustion with a subsequent fatal outcome. Depending on this neoplasm on the skin can be divided into the following types:
- benign;
- malignant;
- border.
Benign neoplasm of skin
These include:
- warts and warts;
- nevi (birthmarks and birthmarks);
- papillomas;
- tumors from glands: syringoms (from sweat), adenomas and atheromas (from sebaceous);
- hemangiomas and lymphangiomas (from blood and lymphatic vessels);
- tumors from different types of tissues: fibromas (from the connective), leiomyomas (from the muscular), lipomas (from fatty);
- neurogenic tumors of nerve nodes and fibers, and others.
Warts, warts and papillomas are caused by the human papillomavirus. Some types of papillomas occur with chronic inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes. Nevuses are congenital or acquired, appearing at any age.
Benign neoplasm on the skin can occur with injuries, X-rays and sun exposure, when exposed to the skin of aggressive substances, with prolonged current skin diseases. Not the least role is played by the hereditary factor. Cells of a benign tumor are highly differentiated, growth is slow, there is no germination in nearby tissues.
To borderline (precancerous) neoplasms it is possible to carry:
- cutaneous horn;
- senile keratosis;
- pigment xeroderma;
- keratoacanthoma;
- border pigment nevus.
When borderline tumors should be avoided long exposure to the sun without skin protection, exclude the impact of aggressive factors on the skin, prevent her injury. Also it is necessary to closely monitor these formations, if there is no question of immediate surgical treatment. In general, benign and premalignant skin lesions are better to be removed (especially for pre-cancerous growths), because there is always the risk of their degeneration into a cancerous tumor.
Malignant neoplasm of skin
The most dangerous malignant tumor is melanoma. The primary focus is always in the skin. More often melanoma is formed from a pigment nevus at its trauma, excessive insolation. The tumor is a flat with irregular edges or a nevus-like formation with a rough surface covered with blood crusts. Education gradually increases in size and quickly gives metastases. Diagnosis of melanoma is carried out with the help of radioactive phosphorus, which accumulates in the tumor 10 times more than in healthy tissues, using cytological smears-prints, histological examination.
Malignant neoplasms of the skin also include basal cell and epithelioma (squamous cell carcinoma). Basaloma is a whitish nodule covered with a crust. Its peculiarity is that after a few years it usually turns into squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Epithelioma is more severe than basal cell, it quickly gives metastases to the lymph nodes, after which the patient's condition rapidly deteriorates. Death comes from bleeding during the decay of the tumor, from cancer intoxication and general exhaustion of the body.
Diagnosis of neoplasm of skin
For diagnostics and differential diagnosis of skin tumors, the following methods are used:
- examination and palpation;
- thermometric method;
- radioisotope study;
- morphological research (cytology, histology);
- investigation of regional lymph nodes;
- laboratory diagnostics and instrumental research methods to exclude metastases to other organs, etc.
Treatment of neoplasm of skin
Choosing a method of treatment, the doctor takes into account the type of tumor, its location, stage, histological structure, the condition of surrounding tissues. The following methods are used:
- surgical removal of neoplasms of the skin, including laser and cryogenic;
- radiation therapy;
- chemotherapy;
- combined.
Most importantly, as soon as possible, go to a doctor to make a timely treatment, which will allow a person to save life.