Advances in Skin Cancer

Abstract

Skin cancer has been associated with excessive sun exposure ever since the nineteenth century. The most common affected skin cells upon recurrent exposure to the sun include the squamous cells, basal cells, and Merkel cells. Basal cell carcinoma has the highest prevalence among the other types of skin cancer, but rarely metastasizes and is highly treatable. Squamous cell carcinoma, if left untreated, is inclined to penetrate the epidermis, invade into the dermis, and metastasize to other organs. Melanoma, however, is highly aggressive and has the least survival rates. Cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation mainly from the sun results in DNA damage, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and gene mutations, all leading to the development of skin cancer. Many molecular pathways are affected by the mutations and can activate oncogenes, inactivate tumor suppressor genes, or impair DNA repair genes. This consequently can lead to increased proliferation, blood vessel growth, tumor invasion, evasion of immune response, and ultimately, metastasis. Early detection is vital to prevent cancer promotion and is mainly via histopathological techniques. Treatment options include surgical removal as the first-line treatment for early stages of skin cancer and immune therapy. An alternative emerging approach in the treatment of metastasized skin cancer is through nanotechnology that operates at a nanoscale increasing drug delivery and distribution in the body.