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One type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma begins in the basal cells, which make skin cells that continuously push older cells toward the surface. Skin cancer begins in the cells that make up the outer layer (epidermis) of your skin. Your doctor will investigate your skin changes to determine a cause. Not all skin changes are caused by skin cancer. Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any changes to your skin that worry you. Sebaceous gland carcinomas - which usually appear as hard, painless nodules - can develop anywhere, but most occur on the eyelid, where they're frequently mistaken for other eyelid problems. This uncommon and aggressive cancer originates in the oil glands in the skin. Merkel cell carcinoma is most often found on the head, neck and trunk. Merkel cell carcinoma causes firm, shiny nodules that occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. Other people with an increased risk of Kaposi sarcoma include young men living in Africa or older men of Italian or Eastern European Jewish heritage. Kaposi sarcoma mainly occurs in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with AIDS, and in people taking medications that suppress their natural immunity, such as people who've undergone organ transplants. This rare form of skin cancer develops in the skin's blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes. Other, less common types of skin cancer include: Signs and symptoms of less common skin cancers
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In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the lower legs. Melanoma most often appears on the face or the trunk of affected men. Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that becomes cancerous. A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface.People with darker skin are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma on areas that aren't often exposed to the sun. Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs on sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your face, ears and hands. Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms A bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns.A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion.Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptomsīasal cell carcinoma usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck or face. When melanoma occurs in people with dark skin tones, it's more likely to occur in areas not normally exposed to the sun, such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions. But it can also form on areas that rarely see the light of day - your palms, beneath your fingernails or toenails, and your genital area. Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. It appears as a painless, flesh-colored or bluish-red nodule growing on your skin. Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive skin cancer.
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