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A precancerous condition is a condition, tumor or lesion involving abnormal cells which are associated with an increased risk of developing into cancer. [1] [2] [3] Clinically, precancerous conditions encompass a variety of abnormal tissues with an increased risk of developing into cancer.
Given their pre-cancerous nature, if left untreated, they may turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. [5] Untreated lesions have up to a 20% risk of progression to squamous cell carcinoma, [8] so treatment by a dermatologist is recommended.
The primary cause of skin cancer is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning devices. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in humans. [11] [12] [13] There are three main types of skin cancers: basal-cell skin cancer (BCC), squamous-cell skin cancer (SCC) and melanoma. [1]
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): As the most common type of skin cancer, BCC accounts for 80% of all skin cancer diagnoses in the U.S., per AAD. Typically, BCC looks like a skin-colored, translucent ...
Cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma is the second-most common cancer of the skin (after basal-cell carcinoma, but more common than melanoma). It usually occurs in areas exposed to the sun. Sunlight exposure and immunosuppression are risk factors for SCC of the skin, with chronic sun exposure being the strongest environmental risk factor. [26]
About one in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lifetimes, and about 20 Americans die from melanoma every day, Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, board-certified dermatologist, said ...
[4] [5] The term "pre-cancer" has also been used. These abnormal cells grow in their normal place, thus in situ ( Latin for 'in its place'). For example, carcinoma in situ of the skin, also called Bowen's disease , is the accumulation of dysplastic epidermal cells within the epidermis only, that has failed to penetrate into the deeper dermis.
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer; it develops from the melanin-producing cells known as melanocytes. [1] It typically occurs in the skin, but may rarely occur in the mouth, intestines, or eye (uveal melanoma). [1] [2] In women, melanomas most commonly occur on the legs; while in men, on the back. [2]