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Skin cancer is a malignant tumour of the skin. Tumours on the skin are very common due to constant contact with ultraviolet light, chemicals and external influences. Four different types of malignant tumours : This is known as a ‘rodent ulcer’ and is found mainly on the head and neck. It is associated with exposure to sunlight, medical irradiation and arsenic medication. Starting as a small papule, the centre starts to degenerate forming an ulcer. They tend to grow on the face and appear as a sore that will not heal. More invasive as it can spread to distant sites, this is frequently seen in skin which has been scarred or damaged in the past by chemicals. This tumour appears as a hardened lump with thickening of the surrounding tissues. A melanoma is a mole which is benign, pigmented area. It only becomes a problem if it undergoes malignant change. It is much more common nowadays due to the increase in sunbathing. If the mole changes shape, size or colour and there maybe symptoms of itching or bleeding then a malignancy must be suspected. This is more common now as it is seen in people with AIDS. Originally resembling a bruise, the skin becomes darker and may form into a lump. They may also occur in the gastrointestinal tract, liver and lymph glands. In people with AIDS, symptoms progress fairly rapidly due to their weakened energetic state. This is either by local excision, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, depending on the progression of the disease.
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