Skin cancers and conditions | Spot Check: skin cancer + aesthetics. Melbourne CBD

Skin cancers

Skin cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. Without treatment, most skin cancers will continue to grow, invading and damaging tissue in the local area. Some skin cancers (especially melanoma) spread to other parts of the body, causing serious illness and death.

Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the most serious skin cancers. If untreated, it can spread uncontrolled through the body causing serious illness or death.

Melanoma in situ

Melanoma in situ is the earliest form of melanoma, affecting only upper layers of the skin. Long term survival approaches 100%.

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common, and one of the least serious, forms of skin cancer. It tends to grow slowly and rarely spreads to other organs.

Squamous cell carcinoma

SCC is a common skin cancer, especially in older people. It causes a crusty or scaly lump or patch. It's usually easily treated, but sometimes spreads.

Bowen's disease

Bowen's disease is a very common mild form of skin cancer, affecting only upper layers of the skin. It tends to grow slowly progression is unusual.

Superficial basal cell carcinoma

Superficial basal cell carcinoma is a common minor form of skin cancer. It can be treated surgically or by freezing or applying a cream.

Conditions which develop into or predispose to skin cancer

Certain types of sun damage have a risk of developing into skin cancer.

Solar keratoses

Solar keratoses are skin damage caused by long term sun exposure, affecting 40-50% of white Australians. If untreated, they can develop into skin cancer.

Sun damaged skin

Sun-damaged skin includes pigmentation (freckles/"age spots"), wrinkles and prominent blood vessels. It is often loose and thin

Dysplastic naevus

A dysplastic mole is a common mole which is irregular in appearance and may resemble a melanoma. People with dysplastic moles have a higher risk of melanoma.

Benign (non-cancer) lesions

Most spots or lumps on the skin are normal and harmless growths. They appear due to factors such as ageing, heredity, infection or previous injuries to the skin. The lesions rarely require treatment, but cosmetic treatment is often successful.

Compound naevus (mole)

A compound naevus is a normal and harmless group of melanocytes (pigment cells) from different skin layers, and may be irregular in shape, colour and elevation.

Dermal naevus (mole)

A mole is a common and harmless lump or spot on the skin, consisting mainly of melanocytes (pigment cells). A dermal mole is often soft and raised.

Lentigo

A lentigo is a patch of darker skin, usually due to exposure to sunlight, most commonly on the face or hands - but occasionally on non-sun exposed areas.

Angioma

An angioma is a cluster of small blood vessels in the skin.

Dermatofibroma

A common and harmless scar-like lump. A dermatofibroma can appear at the site of an injury, foreign body or insect bite, but usually the cause is unknown.

Seborrhoeic keratoses

Seborrhoeic keratoses are a common and harmless condition, causing a crusty or waxy thickening of the top layer of skin.

Lichenoid keratosis

A patch or plaque caused by inflammation, often at the site of a pre-existing lesion such as a lentigo. It is harmless and often resolves without treatment.

Skin tag

A skin tag is a soft raised growth, usually the same colour as surrounding skin and often on a stalk. They are extremely common and harmless.

Surgical scars

Surgical scars are usually a line or long, narrow ellipse at the site of a skin procedure. Sometimes they become raised or discoloured.

Telangiectasia and rosacea

Fine red linear blood vessels in the skin. They are a common feature of sun-damaged and ageing skin. Effective cosmetic treatments are available.