Every year, the healthcare industry struggles to deal with the rampaging effects of cancer on human lives. Every year, more and more people receive a cancer diagnosis, some on different parts of their bodies. Unfortunately, not all get to recover from the effects of this fatal disease. These deaths now resurrect the ways science can finally solve the issue of cancer once and for all.
An effective way to increase your chances of beating cancer is to take preventive measures. It also helps to stay updated with the latest developments in cancer research. Shifting to a healthier lifestyle also significantly reduces the risks of cancer. While this is true for internal cancers, there are also forms of cancer on the skin. Unfortunately, this fatal disease can come in extremely rare forms that impact only a portion of the world’s population.
Here are three of the rarest skin cancers:
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a very aggressive type of skin cancer that originates from the rapid growth of a Merkel cell. The standard types of these cells are typically found at the base of the epidermis. They are responsible for the sense of touch as they connect to sensory nerve endings.
Carcinomas originating from the Merkel cell can appear as a pink-red combination or a bluish-red one. They are shaped like domes and are often painless, which can be confused with a bug bite.
The best way to stop these from forming is to wear sunblock when stepping out on a sunny day. Exposure to ultraviolet light agitates skin cancer cells and causes them to become stronger. Those with lighter skin are more at risk to develop MCC compared to those who are naturally darker. A weak immune system can also cause the development of MCC, which can make its effects more damaging.
Sebaceous Carcinoma
Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare type of tumor with an incidence rate in America of around 0.32 in males and 0.16 in females per 100,000 people each year. This malignant tumor is exceptionally aggressive, forming from the oil-producing sebaceous gland in the skin.
These are often mistaken for benign tumors due to their appearance, causing delays when diagnosing a patient. They come in two groups, the first being ocular, and the second being extraocular.
Ocular tumors develop around the eyes, commonly from the glands found on the eyelids, and are likely to occur on the upper eyelid compared to the lower one. This tumor has a mortality rate of 22%, making it very dangerous to contract.
Extraocular tumors account for 20% of sebaceous carcinoma growth. They appear on the head, face, and neck with a yellow bumpy appearance.
Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans
Also known as DFSP, this cancer originates from the middle layer of the skin called the dermis. It grows slowly, but the spread can be fatal once it reaches fat, tissues, muscles, and bones. While it rarely spreads to other parts of the body, the danger lies in its survival rates, making it a hard type of cancer to beat.
DFSP appears as a bruise or a scar, which then grows as a lump of skin on the surface. These can originate from previous surgeries or burns, with a higher incidence rate in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50.
Conclusion
The general rule of thumb with the skin is that if anything looks discolored or irregular, or if any abnormal growth occurs, it is best to have it checked. The healthcare industry tirelessly works to find a cure to all cancers, so stay up to date by continually reading medical news on the newest technologies available.
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