Is Skin Cancer Of The Scalp The Same As Other Skin Cancers
Yes, the same skin cancers that occur on other areas of the skin can occur on the scalp.
These include the three most common skin cancers:
- Basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer as well as the most common of all cancers. This skin cancer is almost always related to accumulated sun damage.
- Squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common skin cancer, which very frequently is related to sun damage.
- Melanoma, the most serious of the skin cancers, which is related to many factors, including sun damage and tanning beds.
The hair on the head does offer some protection from the sun but not complete protection.
Signs of skin cancer on the scalp are the same as signs of all skin cancers, i.e., a sore that does not heal or a new growth or a mole that is irregular, has changed or has just appeared. The biggest challenges that scalp skin cancers present involve detection and prevention.
Even people who regularly check their skin as recommended often do not think of including their scalp. It is important to have someone else check the scalp thoroughly on a regular basis. Many hairdressers are trained to look for skin cancer signs on their clients scalps and are often are the ones to notice a suspicious lesion.
Perform a Skin Self-Exam
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What Kind Of Treatment Will I Need
AML often grows quickly, so its important to start treatment as soon as possible after it is found.
The most common treatment for AML is chemotherapy . Other treatments are used less often.
The treatment plan that is best for you will depend on:
- The type of AML
- The chance that a type of treatment will cure the leukemia or help in some way
- Your age and overall health
- If the AML cells have changes in certain genes
- Whether a matched stem cell donor can be found
- Your feelings about the treatment and the side effects that possibly come with it
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Hair Loss And Lymphoma
Many people worry about losing their hair after being diagnosed with lymphoma. Both treatments for lymphoma and the cancer itself can cause a person to lose clumps or all of their hair. Although hair usually grows back after treatment, it can be upsetting to experience hair loss while living with lymphoma. Hair loss can impact a persons self-esteem, adding to the daily stresses of life with cancer.
Not everyone loses their hair with lymphoma. But if you do, there are many ways to cope with hair loss.
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Other Possible Side Effects
In addition to all of the side effects weve already listed, Cancer.Net lists a number of other potential side effects. This list includes muscle aches, shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, sinus congestion, headaches, weight gain from fluid retention, diarrhea, hormone changes , or a cough.
The source also notes that there are other side effects that could happen that arent included on this list. Talk with your health care team about what side effects you can expect, who to contact, and what to do if you have unexpected side effects, writes Cancer.Net.
Cosmetics And Camouflage Options
Cosmetic or camouflage options help to hide hair loss using make-up, sprays, lotions or powders.
Cancer Research UK has skin care and make up tips during cancer treatment, including video tutorials, on their website.
The charity Look Good, Feel Better also offers free workshops across the country to help men, women and young adults with visible effects of cancer treatment.
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Skin Cancer Of The Head And Neck Treatment
Many early-stage small basal cell cancers or squamous cell cancers can be removed by Mohs surgery, a technique that spares normal tissue through repeated intraoperative margin testing, removing only the cancer and leaving adjacent normal tissue. Tumors with nerve involvement, lymph node involvement or of a large size are not suitable for Mohs surgery. They require a multimodality approach to treatment, with formal surgical resection and adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy.
Melanoma is more likely to spread, and aggressive surgical resection with wide margins is required, in addition to radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Johns Hopkins Head and Neck Cancer Surgery
Johns Hopkins Head and Neck Cancer Surgery provides comprehensive surgical care and treatment for head and neck cancers. Our surgeons are at the leading edge of head and neck cancer treatment. You will benefit from the skilled care of head and neck surgeons, guiding clinical advancements in the field of head and neck cancer care.
Medically reviewed by Katelyn Hagerty, FNP
Cancer is one of the most difficult and taxing diseases to treat. It can wreak havoc on the body and weaken the immune system and just about every other system for that matter.
It can make you tired, frail, pale and run down. But can it make you bald?
Between the scarves and the Locks of Love campaigns, we all know that hair loss during cancer is a frequent occurrence.
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Can Anything Make My Hair Grow More Quickly
Some people think that if they rub or massage their scalp, their hair will grow more quickly. There is no evidence that this helps and, in fact, it could damage fragile new hair and so have a negative impact on hair regrowth.
There is some evidence that minoxidil solution might help it grow back faster. However, further research is needed. Speak to your medical team before using any over-the-counter medicines, to check that they are safe for you.
There are no complementary and alternative medicines recommended in the UK to help with treatment-related hair loss. This includes therapies and natural products such as vitamins, minerals and plant-based products.
If you are considering trying something to help your hair to re-grow, check with your medical team first that it is safe for you. Some could irritate your scalp and cause further hair loss.
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Bleeding Or Blood Clotting Problems
Some targeted therapy drugs interfere with new blood vessel growth. This can lead to problems with bruising and bleeding. These problems are not common and do not happen to everyone. But it can help to be aware of them because theres no known way to prevent them.
Bleeding, such as from the stomach and intestines, can be severe and even life threatening. Tell your doctor if you throw up blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or if you notice dark or black stools or bright red blood in your stool. These can be signs of bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
Some drugs can also cause blood clots in the lungs and legs, as well as heart attacks and strokes. Let your doctor know if you have problems with sudden swelling, pain, or tenderness in the arm or leg. If you have chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, vision problems, weakness, seizures, or trouble speaking, get emergency help. These can be symptoms of serious problems caused by blood clots.
Beware The ‘silent Killer’: Lymphoma Signs Symptoms In Adults Here’s What To Know
Emergency Department triage room on the 1st floor at the new Our Lady of the Lake ChildrenÕs Hospital Wednesday Sept. 25, 2019, in Baton Rouge, La.
Often regarded as the “silent killer” it is important to address lymphoma symptoms in adults.
Lymphoma is one of the most common causes of death from cancer in the United States. More than 48,000 new cases of symptoms of lymphoma in women lymphoma are reported each year. Of particualr concern, the warning signs of lymphoma are often so subtle that it may take some time before the discovery that any medical problem exists. To add to the challenge, the disease is somewhat complex and has many derivations. But simply stated, the lymphatic system is part of the bodies’ immune system. To understand the symptoms, it is wise to understand the disease.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that impacts the cells of the immune system, called lymphocytes. These lymphocyte cells are involved in the cleansing of the lymphatic system of the body via a colorless, watery fluid that travels through the lymph system ensuring that white blood cells protect the body against infections and the growth of tumors. Lymph nodes are located along the network of lymph vessels found throughout the body so the cancer can occur in an array of areas.
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Hairloss And Body Image
Many people expect and fear hair loss from chemotherapy. One woman said that it was the first question she asked her consultant. Not all chemotherapies cause hair loss but many people do lose hair from their head, face and body. Some people’s hair just thins while others lose it all. Several people said the process of losing hair was worse than having lost it. For people who considered their hair an important part of their image its loss was deeply upsetting, although one woman also said it was interesting and strangely liberating.
How Is Lymphoma Diagnosed
If your healthcare provider suspects that you might have lymphoma based on your symptoms, history, and a physical exam, they’ll likely order certain blood tests and imaging studies to look for signs of cancer. A lymph node biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis and can confirm whether cancer cells are present.
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Ways To Manage Hair Loss
Talk with your health care team about ways to manage before and after hair loss:
- Treat your hair gently. You may want to use a hairbrush with soft bristles or a wide-tooth comb. Do not use hair dryers, irons, or products such as gels or clips that may hurt your scalp. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Wash it less often and be very gentle. Pat it dry with a soft towel.
- You have choices. Some people choose to cut their hair short to make it easier to deal with when it starts to fall out. Others choose to shave their head. If you choose to shave your head, use an electric shaver so you wont cut yourself. If you plan to buy a wig, get one while you still have hair so you can match it to the color of your hair. If you find wigs to be itchy and hot, try wearing a comfortable scarf or turban.
- Protect and care for your scalp. Use sunscreen or wear a hat when you are outside. Choose a comfortable scarf or hat that you enjoy and that keeps your head warm. If your scalp itches or feels tender, using lotions and conditioners can help it feel better.
- Talk about your feelings. Many people feel angry, depressed, or embarrassed about hair loss. It can help to share these feelings with someone who understands. Some people find it helpful to talk with other people who have lost their hair during cancer treatment. Talking openly and honestly with your children and close family members can also help you all. Tell them that you expect to lose your hair during treatment.
Treating And Coping With Hair Loss In Lymphoma
Hair loss from lymphoma can be reversed. If you successfully treat the lymphoma, you should experience regrowth relatively quickly. In a small number of people, though, the hair does not come back or remains thin over the long term.
You have many options for treating and coping with hair loss associated with lymphoma. If youre not sure what you should be doing to manage or deal with hair loss, talk to your oncologist. A health care provider can help you come up with a plan to work through it and help preserve your emotional well-being.
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Tips For Managing Hair Loss
- If you are having radiation therapy to your head or scalp area, think about cutting your hair short before treatment starts. This will make any hair loss easier to manage.
- Wear a wig or toupee, or leave your head bare. Do whatever feels comfortable and gives you the most confidence.
- If you prefer to leave your head bare, wear a hat, beanie, turban or scarf to protect your scalp against sunburn and the cold.
- If you plan to wear a wig, choose it before treatment starts so you can match your own hair colour and style. Call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for information about wig services.
- As your hair grows back, talk to your hairdresser or barber about how to style it. It may be thinner, or curly where it was once straight, and the new growth may be patchy for a while.
- Contact Look Good Feel Better. This program teaches people how to manage the appearance-related side effects caused by cancer treatment. For more on this, call 1800 650 960.
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Other Types Of Lymphoma
All lymphomas start in a particular type of cell called a lymphocyte. Some affect B lymphocytes , while others affect T lymphocytes and, rarely, natural killer cells. While most lymphomas start in B cells, a minorityless than 15 percent of all non-Hodgkin lymphomasare T-cell lymphomas, and fewer than 1 percent affect natural killer cells.
T-cell lymphomas and natural killer T-cell lymphomas may have different symptoms depending on the subtype and location of the cancer. Below are some of the different types of T-cell lymphomas and their associated symptoms.
- Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified often causes symptoms such as fever, night sweats and unintentional weight loss.
- Anaplastic large cell lymphomas may come with symptoms such as fever, backache, painless swelling of lymph nodes, poor appetite, itchy skin, rashes and fatigue.
- Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma often causes symptoms such as fever, night sweats, rashes and itchy skin.
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma may cause skin changes, which may include flat, rash-looking patches thick, raised and itchy eczema-like plaques and raised bumps.
- Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia may come with symptoms such as fever, yellowing of the skin , swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the liver or spleen, and potentially skin changes.
- Extranodal natural killer T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, often causes a blocked nose, bloody nasal discharge, swelling of the cheek, sore throat, hoarseness, fever and weight loss.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Non
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can cause many different signs and symptoms, depending on the type of lymphoma and where it is in the body. Sometimes it might not cause any symptoms until it grows quite large.
Having one or more symptoms doesnt mean you definitely have lymphoma. In fact, many of the symptoms listed here are more likely to be caused by other conditions, such as an infection. Still, if you have any of these symptoms, have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
Some common signs and symptoms include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Feeling full after only a small amount of food
- Chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath or cough
- Severe or frequent infections
Some people with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma have what are known as B symptoms:
- Fever without an infection
- Drenching night sweats
- Weight loss without trying