• Basal cell carcinoma: the most common, about 80% of cases, can be more aggressive locally, but – normally – has a slower evolution. It can appear as a mole, patch, nodule, or wound on the skin.
• Squamous cell carcinoma: originating in the most superficial layer of the skin, it can also appear on mucous membranes and even in areas of prolonged scarring, such as a wound that never closes. More common in areas of the body most exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, lips, neck, and back of the hand. Sometimes radiotherapy may even be necessary to complement the treatment.

• Melanoma: It is the least frequent, representing 3% of skin cancers in Brazil; however, it is the most aggressive, with a risk of metastasis. The prognosis can be good if discovered in the initial phase. Due to new drugs and early detection of the disease, there has been an improvement in the survival of these patients in recent years.

Plastic surgeon and full member of the Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica, Dr. Fernando Amato, advises seeking a specialist doctor when encountering the following changes in a suspicious lesion or mole, a method known as ABCDE:

A – Asymmetry: when one part of the lesion is different from the other

B – Border: irregularities in the contour

C – Color: different colors in the same mole or lesion

D – Diameter: when it is larger than 6 millimeters

E – Evolution: notice if the lesion grows, changes shape, or color

“Wounds that do not heal after three weeks or that bleed easily should also be investigated,” warns Dr. Amato.

Normally, the dermatologist is the one who suspects the diagnosis through dermatoscopy, an examination performed with a magnifying glass. An anatomopathological study is necessary to define the diagnosis.

Depending on the location of the lesion, in the case of more delicate and exposed areas of the body, such as the face, for example, the patient is referred to the plastic surgeon, who performs the removal and reconstruction if necessary.

“All material removed from the patient must be sent for anatomopathological study (biopsy), and depending on the result, other procedures may be necessary, such as in melanoma, where it is necessary to remove the entire lesion to define the need for lymph node surgery (glands). After the disease is staged, that is, identified how far it has advanced, the involvement of other specialists, such as an oncologist, may be necessary to continue the treatment,” explains Dr. Fernando Amato.

Prevention – One of the main risk factors for skin cancer is sun exposure, due to the influence of ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB). Therefore, it is important to follow some tips:

– Do not expose yourself to the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM

– Avoid artificial tanning

– Use sunscreen and lip balm, reapplying every three hours

– The use of hats, sunglasses and UV-protective clothing are welcome

About Dr. Fernando C. M. Amato – Graduation, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Master's degree from Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP). Full Member of the Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica, member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).