Skin Neoplasm: Neoplasm of Uncertain behavior, Malignant, and Benign.

 

Neoplasm of Uncertain behavior:

A neoplasm of uncertain behavior is a skin growth that your healthcare provider can't predict how it will act. This diagnosis is made after your healthcare provider takes a small piece of the growth and sends it to a specialist to look at. It's hard to know if it will turn into cancer or not.

What is a skin neoplasm?

A skin neoplasm is an abnormal growth on your skin. You might hear neoplasms referred to as tumors. Neoplasm is sometimes used substitution for cancer, but it can also be noncancerous.

Usually, your skin cells grow and multiply as required. When your body doesn’t need them anymore, they expire. However, occasionally cells continue to grow when the body doesn’t need them. This can cause neoplasm.

What are benign and malignant neoplasms?

Health experts classify neoplasm in many means. One of the main diversions is whether a neoplasm is malignant or benign.

Malignant neoplasm:

This is a cancerous neoplasm that grows uncontrollably and can occupy other organs. They can also spread through your body and make new tumors.

There are several types of malignant skin neoplasms such as:

• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Basal cell carcinoma
• Markel cell carcinoma
• Melanoma
• Lymphoma of the skin
• Kaposi sarcoma

Benign neoplasm:

Unlike malignant a benign neoplasm builds up where it started and doesn’t spread to other parts or nearby tissues of your body. However, it can still damage the tissues and organs around them. Benign neoplasms are noncancerous.

Some benign neoplasms can transform into cancer. Even if you have been diagnosed with a neoplasm, it is crucial to keep an eye on it and inform any changes in its appearance to your healthcare provider immediately.

Types of benign skin neoplasm are:

• Dermatofibroma
• Cherry angioma  
• Epidermoid cyst
• Skin tags
• Seborrheic keratosis
• Sebaceous hyperplasia
• Lipoma
• Keratoacanthoma
• Pyogenic granuloma

What is precancerous neoplasm?

Some neoplasms are believed to be precancerous. While some health experts use the term in slightly different ways, it usually means that a neoplasm can develop into cancer I left untreated. In some cases, these growths go away on their own, but sometimes they can gradually transform into cancer.  

For instance, actinic keratosis (AK), also termed solar keratosis, involves scaly, rough growths that form in skin that’s been exposed to UV (ultraviolet) light. Actinic keratosis may sometimes look like warts. It can be pink or flesh-colored. If you leave it untreated, it can develop into a type of squamous cell skin cancer.  

One more common precancerous development is squamous cell carcinoma in situ (means, in its original place), sometimes named Bowen’s disease. Situ means unusual cells are only in the upper layer of skin named the epidermis. Squamous cell carcinoma in situ frequently forms as scaly, red patches that may itch. When you leave it untreated, it can develop into squamous cell carcinoma.    

What is uncertain behavior?

Some growths in the body can be called either cancerous or non-cancerous, but some are not easy to classify. This means the doctor needs more information to decide if the growth is cancerous or not, and if it can spread. If the doctor finds a growth that's hard to classify, they will probably do a biopsy. This means they will take a small piece of tissue from the area and test it for cancer.

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How can I check myself?

It is important to regularly check your skin for any new growths, whether you have skin neoplasm or not. You should stand in front of a mirror once a month and check your entire body, including difficult-to-see areas such as the bottom of your feet and the back of your neck. 

To keep track of any growth you find, you can use the American Academy of Dermatology body map and chart. If you take regular notes it will also help up to date on any changes.

You can take guidance to examine yourself by following the ABCE method for identifying melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Each letter matches up to a trait you should look for:  

• Asymmetry: The shape of the mole appears differently on one side than the other.   
• Borders: The borders of the mole are uneven.
• Color: The mole holds different colors or different shades of the same color.
• Diameter: The mole measures more than ¼ inch.
• Evolving: The mole has changed shape, color, or size since you last looked at it.

Furthermore signs to notice such as:

• A spot that crusts over, itches, bleeds, or scabs
• A change in the spot’s texture
• An open sore that doesn’t cure within three weeks

If you notice any of these things on your body, get in touch with your doctor immediately. Even though these signs might not mean you have skin cancer, it's important to have it looked at as soon as possible. The sooner skin cancer is identified the easier it is to treat. You can find out more about checking yourself for skin cancer.

What should I do if I notice a new growth?

If you find any sort of new growth on your skin, it’s best to set an appointment with your dermatologist. Your general physician will refer you to one.   

Your dermatologist will possibly ask questions about your lifestyle and medical history. Ensure to tell them about anything that might elevate your risk of skin cancer, including having:

• A family history of skin cancer
• A fairer skin color
• A large number of moles
• A history of sunburns, especially as a young child
• A history of using tanning beds
• Skin that easily burns or develops freckles
• A large number of moles

After that, they will take the spot in question. Depending on what they examine, they may refer for a biopsy to conclude whether it’s malignant or benign.    

There are three major types of skin biopsy:

• Punch biopsy: Your technician uses a circular tool to take away a circular, small piece of both the upper and deeper layers of your skin.
• Shave biopsy: In this method, your technician uses a small blade to shave off the upper layers of your skin.  
• Excisional biopsy: In this method, a technician uses a small knife to take away both the growth and a small amount of skin around it.

Your dermatologist will send a piece of your skin to a lab to check for cancer. After they get the results, they will discuss them with you and assist in deciding on a treatment plan if necessary.

Conclusion:

A skin neoplasm is an unusual growth on your skin. They’re often called benign, malignant, or precancerous. Your dermatologist might also talk about uncertain behavior if they’re not completely sure whether a neoplasm is cancerous or not. Whether you have a skin neoplasm or not, it’s a good idea to regularly check your skin for any new growths or changes to old ones.