Note: this is a republication of an old article in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month 2024. To learn more about this important month beyond DermaTeens' content, visit https://www.skincancer.org/get-involved/skin-cancer-awareness-month/.
DermaTeens is committed to health equity, which entails addressing cultural and lingual barriers. In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we are translating some of our skin cancer prevention resources into Spanish, like our medically-reviewed articles.
ESP.
Escrito por: Jasmine Biju
Revisada médicamente por: Dr. Lohi Pratti
La constante insistencia de los dermatólogos en aplicar protector solar durante todo el año no es una sugerencia vacía. Como resultado de la exposición a la radiación ultravioleta, pueden surgir numerosos trastornos y enfermedades que suponen una grave amenaza para la salud en general. En particular, el carcinoma de células basales (CBC) es la forma de cáncer más frecuentemente diagnosticada y el cáncer de piel más frecuente. De hecho, cada año se diagnostican 3,6 millones de casos de BCC en los Estados Unidos. La causa fundamental del BCC es la división incontrolada de células basales genéticamente dañadas.
La epidermis es la capa más externa de piel del cuerpo que sirve como protección del ambiente exterior. Se compone de cinco capas distintas: estrato basal, estrato espinoso, estrato granuloso, estrato lúcido y estrato córneo. Como sugiere el nombre, el BCC afecta la capa basal del estrato, que también es la capa más interna de la epidermis. La función de esta capa es dividir y empujar continuamente nuevas células hacia la superficie exterior de la piel. Hay tres tipos principales de BCC: superficial, nodular e infiltrativo. El tipo más frecuente es el BCC nodular. Se manifiesta como una pápula nacarada de color rosado con bordes enrollados y telangiectasias superpuestas. El BCC nodular crece lentamente y con frecuencia sangra y se ulcera. El BCC puede ser causado por la exposición a los rayos UV y a la radiación ionizante, así como por la exposición al arsénico. De los tipos de radiación UV, la UVB es la principal culpable del BCC, pero la UVA también desempeña un papel. Los factores de riesgo del BCC incluyen tener un sistema inmunológico debilitado o una predisposición genética y fumar.
Los síntomas del BCC varían de un paciente a otro y de un tipo a otro. Generalmente, el BCC aparece como manchas rojas, llagas, protuberancias rosadas o cicatrices. Estos crecimientos suelen desarrollarse en regiones del cuerpo que están muy expuestas a la radiación ultravioleta, como la cara. Estas lesiones pueden causar picazón, irritación o sangrado. Afortunadamente, los CBC generalmente se limitan a un área y, por lo tanto, son curables. Por lo tanto, es imperativo buscar tratamiento lo antes posible para prevenir la invasión local en la que el BCC comienza a atacar el tejido profundo y el hueso sano. Aunque existen tratamientos, particularmente mediante extracción, es importante evitar demorarse ya que, en algunos casos raros, el BCC puede poner en peligro la vida.
La prevalencia del CBC está aumentando lentamente a medida que el diagnóstico de cánceres de piel no melanoma aumentó un 77 % entre 1994 y 2014. De hecho, aproximadamente uno de cada tres cánceres que se diagnostican son cánceres de piel, y muchos de ellos son CBC. Aunque el BCC se puede contener mejor en comparación con otras formas de cáncer, es importante tomar medidas preventivas para evitar el surgimiento de tales enfermedades. Enfatiza las implicaciones críticas de la exposición a la luz ultravioleta y la importancia de combatir la radiación solar a través de medios como el protector solar.
Fuente de Imagen: Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates
Referencias:
“Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer | Non-melanoma Skin Cancer.” American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer.html.
“Basal cell carcinoma - Symptoms and causes.” Mayo Clinic, 1 October 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/basal-cell-carcinoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20354187.
Fagan, Jake, et al. “Basal Cell Cancer - StatPearls.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470301/.
Karen, Julie K., and Jamie Kleiman. “Basal Cell Carcinoma.” The Skin Cancer Foundation, https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma/.
McDaniel, Brianna, et al. “Basal Cell Carcinoma - StatPearls.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482439/.
ENG.
Written by: Jasmine Biju
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Lohi Pratti
The constant urging by dermatologists to apply sunscreen throughout the year is no vacuous suggestion. As a result of UV radiation exposure, numerous disorders and diseases can arise that propose a severe threat to overall health. In particular, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer and the most occurring skin cancer. In fact, 3.6 million cases of BCC are diagnosed each year in the United States. The root cause of BCC is the uncontrolled division of genetically damaged basal cells.
The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin on the body which serves as protection from the outer environment. It is made up of five distinct layers: stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum. As the name suggests, BCC affects the stratum basal layer, which is also the innermost layer of the epidermis. The function of this layer is to continuously divide and push new cells to the outer surface of the skin. There are three primary types of BCC: superficial, nodular, and infiltrative. The most prevalent type is nodular BCC. It manifests as a pink, pearly papule with rolling edges and overlaying telangiectasias. Nodular BCC is slow-growing, and it frequently bleeds and ulcerates. BCC can be caused by UV and ionizing radiation exposure, as well as arsenic exposure. Of the types of UV radiation, UVB is the primary culprit of BCC, but UVA also plays a role. Risk factors for BCC include having a weakened immune system or a genetic predisposition and smoking.
The symptoms of BCC vary from patient to patient and type to type. Generally, BCC appears as red patches, sores, pink bumps, or scars. These growths often develop in regions of the body that are greatly exposed to UV radiation, such as the face. These lesions may itch, cause irritation, or bleed. Fortunately, BCCs are usually confined to one area and thus are curable. Therefore, it is imperative to seek treatment as soon as possible in order to prevent local invasion in which the BCC begins to attack healthy deep tissue and bone. Though treatments exist, particularly by extraction, it is important to avoid lingering as in some rare cases, BCC may become life-threatening.
The prevalence of BCC is slowly climbing as the diagnosis of non-melanoma skin cancers has jumped by 77% from 1994 to 2014. In fact, about one in every three cancers that are diagnosed are skin cancers, numerous being BCC. Though BCC can be better contained as compared to other forms of cancers, it is important to take preventative measures to avoid the uprising of such diseases. It emphasizes the critical implications of UV light exposure and the importance of combating solar radiation through means such as sunscreen.
Image Source: Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates
References:
“Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer | Non-melanoma Skin Cancer.” American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer.html.
“Basal cell carcinoma - Symptoms and causes.” Mayo Clinic, 1 October 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/basal-cell-carcinoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20354187.
Fagan, Jake, et al. “Basal Cell Cancer - StatPearls.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470301/.
Karen, Julie K., and Jamie Kleiman. “Basal Cell Carcinoma.” The Skin Cancer Foundation, https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma/.
McDaniel, Brianna, et al. “Basal Cell Carcinoma - StatPearls.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482439/.
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