Skin cancer in children

It is not very common, but skin cancer cases can occur in children . This type of cancer manifests itself in two different ways : as a melanoma and without melanoma. Melanoma is the skin cancer that most occurs among children. It manifests as a result of a mole that suddenly changes shape or color.

It is not very common, but skin cancer cases can occur in children.

This type of cancer manifests itself in two different ways: as a melanoma and without melanoma. Melanoma is the skin cancer that most occurs among children. It manifests as a result of a mole that suddenly changes shape or color.

The important thing in these cases is to prevent and detect it in time. In Guiainfantil.com we tell you what are the causes and symptoms of skin cancer in children.

What is childhood skin cancer

Skin cancer is a degeneration of skin cells: normal skin cells become cancer cells (abnormal). There are two types of skin cancer in children:

- Melanoma: abnormal cells are formed from melanocytes (the cells responsible for coloring the skin, eyes and hair). It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. The alarm voice is activated when the mole grows, changes shape or color, it is asymmetric, with irregular edges and itches. However, do not confuse it with another type of benign tumors. There are moles that present no risk to the health of our child.

- Skin cancer without melanoma: the cells involved are not melanocytes. In this case it can occur in the outer layer of the skin or epidermis (they are the most frequent cases) or in the highest layer of the skin. In both cases, we are talking about carcinomas.

Both types of skin cancer can occur in any part of the body, although more cases are diagnosed in the scalp, face, neck and extremities. That is, in the parts of the body most exposed to the sun.

Causes and symptoms of skin cancer in children

The main cause of this disease is excessive sun exposure: repeated burns on the skin (especially burns with blisters). Remember that the skin has memory and can take its toll later.

Skin spots are the main symptoms of this disease. They can be pinkish, reddish or bleeding spots. Or it can manifest as a simple mole, irregular, that grows. This last case is the beginning of melanoma.

Treatment of childhood cancer and prevention

Treatments depend on the type of skin cancer, the location of the lesion and the characteristics of the child's skin. You may need surgery, curettage, radiation therapy or cryotherapy (a treatment similar to that used for warts). There are also specific creams.

The best thing, without a doubt, is to prevent. Today there are a large number of photoprotective creams for children in the market. Creams for the sun are not just for summer. Dermatologists recommend using it throughout the year. In addition, we should avoid exposing babies under six months to the sun. Your skin is more delicate, because it still does not have the protection of melanin.

Children with more risk of sunburn are those with very white skin and freckles. That is why they have to exercise extreme caution, never forget the sunscreen and avoid as much as possible a prolonged exposure to the sun's rays.