Damage from the sun can lead to skin cancers, such as invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinomas occur when skin cells begin to grow and change, due to sun damage, chronic irritation, infections, chemical exposure or age. Heredity also plays a part, making fair-skinned individuals with blue or green eyes and red or blonde hair susceptible to developing these cancers. In its early, non-invasive form--known as Bowen's Disease--it appears as large, scaly reddish patches. If left untreated, it can worsen and invade other tissues. Always report any sores that fail to heal within two weeks or long-lasting red patches to your doctor.
Red Bump
A firm, growing nodule located on your face, ears, neck, hands or arms might indicate squamous cell carcinoma, according to the Mayo Clinic. These slow-growing lesions often look like warts and might be sore and tender, and prone to bleeding if bumped. They often appear in areas of the body that show previous damage from sun exposure, such as wrinkles or discolored skin.
Changes in a Scar or Ulcer
Any type of change to a mole, scar, wart or other skin lesion might indicate skin cancer, according to Medline Plus, the National Library of Medicine's online medical database. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends performing regular self-examinations and making a note of the size and shape of freckles, moles, birthmarks, scabs and scaly patches so that you can promptly report any changes to your doctor. Chronic ulcers and burn scars tend to be prone to developing aggressive invasive squamous cell carcinomas.
Ulcers or White Patches On the Lips or Inside the Mouth
While squamous cell carcinomas most often appear on sun-exposed areas, they can appear anywhere on the body. The white patch inside of your mouth might be raised and painful. The lesions can appear on your tongue, gums or lips. These patches often indicate an early form of the cancer, known as leukoplakia. Cancers on the lips tend to be especially prone to metastasizing, or spreading to other organs, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Red Patches or Ulcerated Sores in the Anus or Genitals
Skin inflammation, chronic infections, and immune deficiency diseases, such as HIV, can spur the growth of squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cell carcinomas found in the genitals might be due to human papillomavirus (HPV), a contagious virus spread through sexual contact. Cancers that start in the vagina tend to grow slowly, but can invade the lungs, liver and other organs, according to Dr. Jeffrey L. Stern of the Women's Cancer Information Center.
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