What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is the uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the layers of the skin. While other cancer types can start elsewhere in the body and spread to the skin, these cancers originate in the skin itself. There are two main types of the disease:
- Keratinocyte cancers, including basal (round cells in the lower layer of the epidermis) and squamous cell cancer (thin, flat cells in the top layer of the epidermis)
- Melanomas, which originate in the pigment-making cells of the skin
Both cancer types are common and treatable. Early detection is best, but even when these cancers are found at later stages, effective treatments are still available. Treatment options are also available for less common types of skin cancers. These include:
- Cutaneous (skin) lymphoma
- Kaposi sarcoma
- Merkel cell carcinoma
- Skin adnexal tumors
What are soft tissue cancers?
Soft tissue cancer begins in the muscle, fat, fibrous tissue blood vessels or other supporting tissue of the body. It can be found anywhere in the body including the arms and legs, the chest and abdominal walls and inside the abdomen. One of the most common categories of soft tissue are called sarcomas, with many different subtypes including:
- Liposarcoma is a cancer that develops from fatty tissue in different parts of the body such as the arms and legs, abdominal wall, and particularly inside the abdomen.
- Leiomyosarcoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in smooth muscle tissue, commonly affecting the uterus, abdomen, or blood vessels, and may spread quickly to other parts of the body.
- Synovial sarcoma is a rare soft tissue cancer that typically occurs near joints in the arms or legs of young adults and is linked to a specific genetic mutation.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children, originating in cells that form skeletal muscle and often appearing in the head, neck, bladder, or limbs.
- Kaposi sarcoma is a cancer caused by human herpesvirus-8 that forms abnormal blood vessel growths, often appearing as purple or red lesions on the skin or internal organs, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
Other types of soft tissue cancers include:
- Desmoid tumors
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
What are symptoms of skin cancer?
Skin cancer symptoms vary by type, but common signs include new or changing spots on the skin, a sore that doesn’t heal, a shiny or pearly bump, a rough or scaly patch or a mole that changes in size, shape, or color, especially if it itches, bleeds, or becomes painful.
What are symptoms of soft tissue cancers?
Soft tissue sarcomas often begin as a painless lump that grows over time, and depending on the tumor’s location, they may also cause symptoms like worsening abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness, blood in the stool or vomit, black tarry stools or unexplained weight loss.
How is skin cancer diagnosed?
Doctors at Loyola approach the diagnosis of skin cancer with rigor and care. Most often the process begins when a patient exhibits something unusual in the appearance of the skin. To start, a doctor may obtain personal and family medical history and conduct a physical exam. If skin cancer is suspected, one of the following biopsies will likely be performed:
- Incisional and excisional biopsies
- Punch biopsy
- Shave (tangential) biopsy
If a general biopsy indicates the potential spread of melanoma, you may be asked to undergo a more extensive biopsy to determine whether the cancer has spread elsewhere in the body. These biopsies could include:
- Fine needle aspiration biopsy
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy
- Surgical (excisional) lymph node biopsy
How is soft tissue cancer diagnosed?
Soft tissue sarcomas are often diagnosed after a patient notices a lump or swelling in the body. These tumors may not cause symptoms until they grow large enough to press on nearby organs or nerves.
The diagnostic process typically includes:
- Medical history and physical exam: A doctor will assess symptoms and risk factors.
- Imaging tests: These may include ultrasound, MRI or CT scans to evaluate the size, depth, and nature of the mass.
- Biopsy: A tissue sample is taken to confirm the diagnosis. Types of biopsies include incisional, core needle, or excisional biopsies.
- Staging: To determine the extent of the disease and guide treatment planning.
How is skin cancer treated?
Determining skin cancer type is the first step in developing the most effective treatment for the best possible outcome. If the diagnosis is basal or squamous cell skin cancer, the doctors at Loyola will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that may include:
The diagnosis of melanoma skin cancer requires a different treatment plan, which may include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Local or topical therapy
Regardless of the kind or stage of your skin cancer, Loyola's interdisciplinary approach will provide you with the most advanced skin cancer treatment.
Loyola is widely recognized for its expertise in performing Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancer. Mohs surgery is performed by a specially trained Mohs surgeon and involves a precise technique that offers:
- Highest potential cure rate, up to 99 percent for skin cancer
- Minimal risk of recurrence
- Protection of healthy tissue, superior cosmetic results and minimal scarring
- Removal of all skin cancer cells at the margins
Learn more about Mohs surgery.
How is soft tissue sarcoma treated?
Treatment for soft tissue sarcoma depends on the tumor’s type, location, stage and the patient’s overall health. The primary goal is to remove or destroy the cancer while preserving function and quality of life.
Common treatment options include:
- Surgery: Often the first-line treatment, aiming to remove the tumor completely.
- Radiation therapy: Used before or after surgery to shrink tumors or eliminate remaining cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: May be used for certain sarcoma subtypes or advanced disease.
- Targeted therapy: Drugs that specifically attack cancer cells based on their genetic makeup.
- Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system recognize and fight cancer cells.
A multidisciplinary team typically manages care, including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and rehabilitation specialists.
Prevention, early detection and screening for skin cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers and accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. Despite being very common, skin cancer is preventable.
To help prevent skin cancer, you can implement good skin care practices by doing the following:
- Apply one tablespoon of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside
- Avoid long hours of sun exposure
- Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths
- Cover up with sun-protective clothing, including broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses
- Examine your skin (head to toe) once a month
- Keep young infants out of direct sunlight to prevent sunburn
- Seek shade between 10 am and 4 pm, when sun rays are strongest
- Select sun protection products with the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of recommendation to guarantee that the product meets the highest standards for safety and effectiveness
- Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher every day
- Visit your doctor every year for a professional skin cancer screening
- Look for skin changes of any kind including:
- A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode or bleed
- An open sore that does not heal within two weeks
- A skin growth, mole, beauty mark or brown spot that:
- Appears after age 21
- Appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black or multicolored
- Changes color
- Changes in texture
- Increases in size or thickness
- Is asymmetrical
- Is bigger than six millimeters, the size of a pencil eraser
- Is irregular in outline or border
Prevention and screening for soft tissue sarcoma
There is currently no routine screening program for soft tissue sarcoma due to its rarity and lack of early symptoms. However, awareness and early evaluation of suspicious masses are critical.
Prevention strategies focus on reducing known risk factors:
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation, especially in children.
- Know your family history and discuss hereditary cancer syndromes with your doctor.
- Follow workplace safety guidelines, especially if exposed to chemicals like vinyl chloride which is used to make PVC plastic.
- Monitor for unusual lumps or growths, especially those that grow rapidly, are larger than 5 cm, or are deep within the body.
While soft tissue cancers are rare, early detection and prompt medical evaluation of concerning symptoms, such as a new or growing lump, can improve outcomes.
