Skin cancer is the result of the abnormal growth of skin cells. The most common cause of skin cancer is excessive exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Other causes include a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or strong medications, and exposure to harmful radiation or chemicals. Skin cancer mostly affects fair-skinned individuals.
There are five major types of skin cancer. Be aware that multiple types of skin cancer can affect an individual at the same time.
- Actinic Keratosis – Red- or pink-colored rough, scaly patches appear on sun-exposed areas of the skin. These are typically larger than 0.5 cm in diameter. These patches are precursory (up to 1%) lesions that can develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
- Basal Cell Carcinoma – Raised, pink-colored, waxy bumps appear on the skin. These may begin bleeding with minor injury. Some lesions may have visible superficial blood vessels and a central depression. These are locally malignant and typically do not spread. Organ transplant recipients are 10 times more vulnerable to basal cell carcinoma than others.
- Melanoma – Marked by abnormal growth of black or brown skin lesions that are irregular in shape and symmetry. Treatment depends on the degree of malignancy of the lesions. Approximately 100,000 new cases of melanoma are reported in the U.S. each year. Organ transplant recipients are three to four times more vulnerable than the general population. There is a 6% risk in adults and a 12–15% risk in pediatric transplant recipients.
- Kaposi’s Sarcoma – A rare cancer of the endothelial cells that line blood vessels. Brownish-red to blue-colored lesions appear on the legs and feet. It is generally caused by Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV-8), which leads to cancerous changes in these cells and results in immunosuppression.
There are two types of Kaposi’s Sarcoma:
- Cutaneous/Mucocutaneous – Treated by reducing immunosuppression. It typically occurs in adult transplant patients within a few years of transplant.
- Visceral – Can affect the lungs, gastrointestinal system, and lymph nodes. It is more life-threatening than the cutaneous/mucocutaneous type and most commonly occurs in pediatric transplant patients.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma – The most common type of skin cancer affecting transplant patients. Dull red, rough, scaly, raised lesions appear on the skin, usually in areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the neck, ears, lips, scalp, back of the hands, and forearms. The lips are particularly vulnerable.
There is a slight chance of recurrence or spreading of these lesions, and they can grow rapidly. This type of skin cancer is considered aggressive and affects both pediatric and adult organ transplant recipients, who are highly vulnerable to squamous cell carcinoma.
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Dr. Morwood has over 20 years’ experience as a plastic surgeon. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and has served for years as either the chief or vice chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery of Monterey.
For more information about Dr. Morwood or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us here.
