Symptoms of Skin Cancer

Research More About Skin Cancer

Do I have Skin Cancer?

• Skin Cancer: Introduction
• Skin Cancer: Diagnostic Testing to confirm diagnosis
• Home Diagnostic Testing
• Alternative diagnoses and misdiagnosis for Skin Cancer
• Hidden Causes of Skin Cancer
• How serious is it?
• Treatments for Skin Cancer
• More about Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer: Medical Mistakes

• Cancer Health Mistakes:
  • Cancer (All) -- Health Mistakes
  • Breast Cancer -- Health Mistakes
  • Colorectal Cancer -- Health Mistakes
• more mistakes...»

Skin Cancer: Undiagnosed Conditions

Diseases that may be commonly undiagnosed in related medical areas:

• Women's Reproductive Health: diseases that are commonly undiagnosed:
  • Overactive Bladder Syndrome -- Undiagnosed
  • PCOS -- Undiagnosed
  • Chlamydia -- Undiagnosed
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Cervical Cancer -- Undiagnosed
  • Breast Cancer -- Undiagnosed
  • Ovarian Cancer -- Undiagnosed
  • Von Willebrand Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • more ...»
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical tests related to Skin Cancer:

• Colon & Rectal Cancer: Home Testing
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Tests
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Tests
• Cancer-Related Home Testing:
  • Home Prostate Testing
  • Home Prostate PSA Antigen Tests
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Testing
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Testing
  • Home Breast Cancer Testing
  • Home Breast Lump Detection Kits
• more home tests...»

Wrongly Diagnosed with Skin Cancer?

The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Skin Cancer includes:

• Benign skin lesion
• Fibrous papule
• Seborrheic keratosis
• Sun spots
• Moles
• more diagnoses...»

See the full list of 39 alternative diagnoses for Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer: Research Doctors & Specialists

• Cancer Specialists:
  • Oncology (Cancer specialists)
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Pediatric Hematology / Oncology (Child Cancer/Leukemia)
  • Radiation Oncology (Diagnostic/X-rays)
  • Gynecological Oncology
  • Hematology (Blood/Leukemia Specialists)
  • Colon & Rectal Surgery
• Skin Health Specialists (Dermatology):
  • Dermatology (Skin Health Specialists)
  • Dermatopathology
  • Pediatric Dermatology (Child Skin Health)
  • Dermatological Immunology / Diagnostic Laboratory (Skin Allergies)
• more specialists...»

Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

More about symptoms of Skin Cancer:

More information about symptoms of Skin Cancer and related conditions:

• Other diseases with similar symptoms and common misdiagnoses
• Tests to determine if these are the symptoms of Skin Cancer
• Underlying causes of Skin Cancer
• Risk factors for Skin Cancer

Medical Books Online about Skin Cancer

Medical Books Excerpts Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Skin Cancer are available from published medical books for more detailed information about Skin Cancer.

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Related videos for Skin Cancer

Patient Surveys for Skin Cancer

• Patient Profile Survey
  Take Survey  View Results
• Survey about the symptoms of your Skin Cancer
  Take Survey  View Results

Symptoms of Skin Cancer: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the symptoms of Skin Cancer.

Malignant spinal neoplasms: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Extramedullary tumors produce symptoms by pressing on nerve roots, the spinal cord, and spinal vessels; intramedullary tumors, by destroying the parenchyma and compressing adjacent areas. Because intramedullary tumors may extend over several spinal cord segments, their symptoms are more variable than those of extramedullary tumors.

The following clinical effects are likely with all malignant spinal cord neoplasms:

❑Pain — Most severe directly over the tumor, radiates around the trunk or down the limb on the affected side and is unrelieved by bed rest. It may worsen when lying down or with straining, coughing, or sneezing. Pain can be diffuse, occurring over all extremities. Generally, it progressively worsens and isn't relieved by medication.

❑ Motor symptoms — Asymmetric spastic muscle weakness, decreased muscle tone, exaggerated reflexes, and a positive Babinski's sign. If the tumor is at the level of the cauda equina, muscle flaccidity, muscle wasting, weakness, and progressive diminution in tendon reflexes are characteristic.

❑ Sensory deficits — Contralateral loss of pain, temperature, and touch sensation (Brown-Séquard's syndrome). These losses are less obvious to the patient than functional motor changes. Caudal lesions invariably produce paresthesias in the nerve distribution pathway of the involved roots.

❑Bowel and bladder symptoms — Urine retention is an inevitable late sign with cord compression. Early signs include incomplete emptying or difficulty with the urine stream, which is usually unnoticed or ignored. Cauda equina tumors cause bladder and bowel incontinence due to flaccid paralysis.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

SSSS can usually be traced to a prodromal upper respiratory tract infection, possibly with concomitant purulent conjunctivitis. Cutaneous changes progress through three stages:

❑ Erythema: Erythema, which may begin diffusely or as a scarlatiniform rash, usually becomes visible around the mouth and other orifices and may spread in widening circles over the entire body surface. The skin becomes tender; Nikolsky’s sign (sloughing of the skin when friction is applied) may appear.

❑ Exfoliation (24 to 48 hours later): In the more common, localized form of this disease, superficial erosions with a red, moist base and minimal crusting occur, generally around body orifices, and may spread to exposed areas of the skin. (See Identifying staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.) In the more severe forms of this disease, large, flaccid bullae erupt and may spread to cover extensive areas of the body. These bullae eventually rupture, revealing sections of denuded skin; mucous membranes are spared.

❑ Desquamation: In this final stage, affected areas dry up, and powdery scales form. Normal skin replaces these scales in 5 to 7 days.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

SSSS commonly can be traced to a prodromal upper respiratory tract infection, possibly with concomitant purulent conjunctivitis. Cutaneous changes progress through three stages.

Erythema

In the first stage, erythema becomes visible, usually around the mouth and other orifices, as well as body fold areas, and may spread in widening circles over the entire body surface. The skin becomes tender; Nikolsky’s sign (sloughing of the skin when friction is applied) may appear.

Exfoliation

About 24 to 48 hours later, exfoliation occurs. In the more common, localized form of this disease, superficial erosions and minimal crusting develop, generally around body orifices, and may spread to exposed areas of the skin.

In the more severe forms of this disease, large, flaccid bullae erupt and may spread to cover extensive areas of the body. These bullae eventually rupture, revealing denuded skin.

Desquamation

In this final stage, affected areas dry up and powdery scales form. Normal skin replaces these scales in 5 to 7 days.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Article Excerpts About Symptoms of Skin Cancer:

Skin Cancer: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Skin cancer can look many different ways. The most common sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, such as a growth or a sore that won't heal. Sometimes there may be a small lump. This lump can be smooth, shiny and waxy looking, or it can be red or reddish brown. Skin cancer may also appear as a flat red spot that is rough or scaly. Not all changes in your skin are cancer, but you should see your doctor if you notice changes in your skin. Melanoma can form from or near a mole, so it is important to have your health care provider check unusual (atypical) moles that are larger than others, have different colors, or that have irregular edges (borders). The American Academy of Dermatology says that if you notice a mole on your skin, look for the simple "ABCD" warning signs of melanoma:

• Asymmetry — one half does not match the other half.

• Border irregularity — the edges are ragged, notched or blurred.

• Color — the pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown or black are present, causing a mottled, or splotchy, appearance. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to the mottled appearance.

• Diameter — the width is greater than six millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser). Any growth of a mole should be of concern.

Malignant melanoma usually begins as a mottled, light brown to black flat blemish with irregular edges and is at least one-quarter inch in size. It can turn red, blue or white, or bleed and crust on the surface.

A skin growth called actinic keratoses (AKs) can be the earliest sign of squamous cell carcinoma. AKs are small, scaly spots that form on body parts that have been exposed to the sun. They may start as small, red, flat spots then grow larger and become scaly or thick, like a wart. Most AKs form on the face or back of the hands. (Source: excerpt from Skin Cancer: NWHIC)

Skin Care and Aging - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)

Changes in the skin are not sure signs of cancer; however, it’s important to see a doctor if any symptom lasts longer than 2 weeks. Don’t wait for the area to hurt — skin cancers seldom cause pain. (Source: excerpt from Skin Care and Aging - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)

Skin Care and Aging - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, especially a new growth or a sore that doesn’t heal. Skin cancers don’t all look the same. For example, skin cancer can start as a small, smooth, shiny, pale, or waxy lump. Or it can appear as a firm red lump. Sometimes, the lump bleeds or develops a crust. Skin cancer also can start as a flat, red spot that is rough, dry, or scaly. (Source: excerpt from Skin Care and Aging - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)

What You Need To Know About Skin Cancer: NCI (Excerpt)

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, especially a new growth or a sore that doesn't heal. Skin cancers don't all look the same. For example, the cancer may start as a small, smooth, shiny, pale, or waxy lump. Or it can appear as a firm red lump. Sometimes, the lump bleeds or develops a crust. Skin cancer can also start as a flat, red spot that is rough, dry, or scaly.

Both basal and squamous cell cancers are found mainly on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun -- the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. However, skin cancer can occur anywhere. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Skin Cancer: NCI)

Skin Cancer as a symptom:

For a more detailed analysis of Skin Cancer as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our Symptom Center information for Skin Cancer.

Medical articles and books on symptoms:

These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:

• Diagnostic Testing for a Diagnosis of Skin Cancer
• Research Alternative Diagnoses for Skin Cancer
• How serious is Skin Cancer?
• More about Skin Cancer
• Online Diagnosis
• Self Diagnosis Pitfalls
• Pitfalls of Online Diagnosis
• Symptoms of the Silent Killer Diseases
• Lesser known silent killer diseases
• Books on signs and symptoms

Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

About signs and symptoms of Skin Cancer:

The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Skin Cancer. This signs and symptoms information for Skin Cancer has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Skin Cancer signs or Skin Cancer symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Skin Cancer may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Skin Cancer symptoms.