How to know if a skin growth or a cysts is cancerous?
How to know if a skin growth or cysts is cancerous?
@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | Health blog |
Cysts or lumps that can form under the skin, organs, or tissues are mostly benign or non-cancerous. These skin bumps usually encase a sac-filled air, fluid, pus, or other materials.
On the other hand, tumors or abnormal growth of tissue mass can either be benign or malignant. As opposed to sac-filled cyst, tumors are solid mass of abnormal tissue growth.
Benign tumors can grow in size but only pose real concern if they displace organs or tissues along there way, in which case, surgical intervention may be warranted.
On the contrary, malignant tumors grows rapidly and can invade distant areas of the body. Here are signs you should watch out for in your lump and should warrant medical consultation:
1. Hardening of the lump
Benign growth under the skin is usually soft in non-cancerous cases, however, when you notice unusual thickening or hardening of the bump, then it can be a sign of cancer and in which case, you should consult a physician to further look into the matter. It is important not to self diagnose.
2. Changes in color
When you notice that there is unusual changes in the color of the lump on your skin, it can be a sign of malignancy.
3. Sore that does not heal
Another objective sign of a cancerous skin growth is a sore that does not heal. If you notice a lesion on the lump that does not heal over time, it is one sign that it may be cancerous and should warrant further medical intervention.
4. Not movable
Most benign growth under the surface of the skin is soft and movable so if you notice that the skin bump is fixated in its place and not movable when palpating, it is one sign of cancer.
5. Fatigue and weight loss
People with cancer can experience tiredness and loss of weight due to the rapid rate of cancer growth, however these are just general signs.
Take note that these signs of malignant or cancerous skin growth are for reference only and should should not be used to self-diagnose a medical condition.
