Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma can all develop on the scalp.
Malignant scalp lesions account for 13% of all skin cancers.
Sun exposure is the most common cause.
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It also offers prevention tips and instructions on how to perform a self-exam.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from DermNet and Te Whatu Oradermnetnz.org2023.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Types of Skin Cancer Affecting the Scalp
Differenttypes of skin cancercan develop on your scalp.
The two most common, called basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are considered highly curable.
It starts in the basal cell layer, the innermost layer of theepidermis.
BCC accounts for around 40% of all scalp skin cancers.
Melanoma
Melanomais less common than BCC and SCC but is the deadliest of all three types.
If left untreated, melanoma can rapidly spread to other organs of the body.
Between 3% and 6% of all melanomas are located on the scalp.
In some cases, it is colorless.
These comprise less than 1% of all skin cancers.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
What Does Cancer of the Scalp Look Like?
Thesymptoms of skin cancervary by the jot down of cancer involved.
Melanoma can also bleed and crust.
These “ugly ducklings” warrant further investigation by a skin specialist known as adermatologist.
With that said, you could still get scalp cancer even with a full head of hair.
This includes changes in moles.
This self-check should be done monthly.
Yourgeneral healthmay also factor in.
Many people with skin cancer only require surgery to remove the tumor.
No further treatment may be needed.
The hair may need to be shaved around the tumor in preparation for surgery.
Once the incision is stitched together, any scar can usually be hidden with surrounding hair.
You may need a combination of treatments, particularly if metastasis has occurred.
Prevention Tips
There is no such thing as a healthy tan.
A tan is your skin’s response to injury sparked by UV radiation.
Excessive UV exposure may not only lead to skin cancer but alsoeye cancerandcataracts.
Survival statistics are based on the overall population of people diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States.
Prognosis and survival rates for most non-melanoma skin cancers are considered to be excellent.
Death is uncommon and may only occur if the cancer is diagnosed at a very advanced stage.
As with other types of skin cancer, cancer of the scalp is diagnosed with a skin biopsy.
When cancer of the scalp is localized, the prognosis is excellent.
Even with advanced cases of BCC and SCC, the outlook is generally positive if treated appropriately.
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