Distinguishing Age Spots from Skin Cancer: Recognizing the Differences
Taking a Gander at Age Spots and Skin Cancer
As we age, our skin starts to show some unwanted reminders of our sun-filled past - enter age spots. These spots can mimic certain types of skin cancer, causing alarm for many. To help you differentiate the two, here's a comprehensive comparison of age spots and skin cancer, their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.
Ain't Nobody Got Time for Skin Cancer Mistakes
Both age spots and skin cancer can make their appearance on skin exposed to the sun, like your face, hands, shoulders, and more. Being aware of the key differences between them can help you identify when you may need a doctor's help.
Age Spots vs Skin Cancer
Unlike skin cancer, age spots are completely harmless. So, no need for any treatments or removal - they just hang around.
Age Spots: The Harmless Harbingers of Age
Age spots, also called solar lentigines or liver spots, are small patches that appear a darker shade than the surrounding skin. Generally speaking, they are flat, smooth, and don't itch or appear crusty. They crop up thanks to your body producing excess melanin to protect your skin from the sun's damaging UV rays. These spots are more common on light skin but can occur on any skin tone and tend to appear around middle age.
The Silent Killer - Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a genuine threat. Like age spots, it loves the sun exposure, courtesy of damage caused by UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Skin cancer happens when UV radiation or environmental and genetic factors damage skin cells, forcing them to grow, mutate, and spread rapidly. Unlike age spots, skin cancer can spread to other parts of your body and harm you.
The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Another type of mark similar to age spots is actinic keratosis, a precancerous growth that could eventually turn into cancer if left untreated.
Can Age Spots Turn into Cancer?
Good news! Age spots can't turn into cancer. However, actinic keratosis might look like age spots, and if neglected, it can become skin cancer. It's crucial to keep an eye on any new or changing marks on your skin, especially if you spot symptoms of skin cancer or actinic keratosis. Speak with a healthcare professional if you notice any.
Symptom Showdown
There are various differences in the symptoms between age spots and skin cancer, aiding in spotting which condition is wreaking havoc.
Age Spots Symptoms
- Flat and smooth with clear, well-defined edges
- Yellow, brown, or gray in color
- Between a few millimeters or centimeters in size
- Appear on sun-exposed areas, like the face, hands, shoulders, and more
- Prone to fading in winter but getting darker in summer
Skin Cancer Symptoms
- Symptoms can vary, but signs that a skin growth might be cancerous include:
- Asymmetrical shape
- Irregular, blurred, or ragged edges
- Changing in size, color, or shape
- Multiple colors on the same spot
- Redness, pinkness, purple, black, or brown coloring
- Raised, red patches
- Pale or yellow firm patches, resembling scars
- Pain, itching, oozing, or bleeding
- Crusty or scaly patches
- Raised edges that lower in the middle
- Signs of actinic keratosis include:
- Raised, rough, or scaly patches
- Red, gray, pink, or skin-colored patches
- Flat and scaly patches that resemble age spots
- Scaly, rough bumps in clusters like acne
- Pale or scaly patches on the lips
- Horn-like growths
When to Call a Doc
Generally, it's wise to speak with a doctor if you notice any skin changes that aren't normal for you. Remember, early detection of skin cancer increases the chances of successful treatment. Contact a doctor if:
- A mark on your skin keeps altering in color, position, shape, or size
- It looks different from the other marks on your skin
- It's itchy, crusty, scabs over, or doesn't heal within 4 weeks
Diagnosis
To diagnose age spots, a doctor or dermatologist carefully examines the spot, checking its appearance, texture, and location. If they're unsure, the doctor may perform a skin biopsy to examine the spot under a microscope for other conditions, including skin cancer or actinic keratosis.
Treatment
- Age spots don't require treatment since they're not harmful, although some people might choose to lessen their appearance with procedures like:
- Laser treatments
- Cryosurgery
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical peels
- Skin cancer treatment varies depending on factors like the type and severity of the cancer, your overall health, and more.
- Surgical removal is often the go-to for basal cell and squamous cell cancers, though, due to their position, this isn't always possible.
- Options for treating skin cancer and actinic keratosis may include:
- Topical therapies
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Systemic medication
The Source of Our Info
Our info comes from a wide array of sources, including the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and other reputable scientific studies [1][2][3][5].
- Seniors may find unwanted reminders of their sun-filled past in the form of age spots, which can resemble certain types of skin cancer.
- To differentiate age spots from skin cancer, it is essential to be aware of their key differences, such as symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.
- Age spots, also known as solar lentigines or liver spots, are harmless skin conditions that appear on sun-exposed areas, among them the face, hands, and shoulders.
- Skin cancer is a genuine threat and happens when UV radiation or environmental and genetic factors damage skin cells, causing them to grow, mutate, and spread rapidly.
- The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, with actinic keratosis being another precancerous growth that resembles age spots.
- Age spots cannot turn into cancer, but actinic keratosis, which may look like age spots, could potentially become cancer if left untreated.
- Monitoring new or changing spots on the skin is crucial, especially if symptoms of skin cancer or actinic keratosis are present.
- If a mark on the skin keeps altering in color, position, shape, or size, appears different from the other marks on the skin, is itchy, crusty, scabs over, or doesn't heal within four weeks, one should consult a doctor to ensure early detection of potential health-and-wellness issues like skin cancer or other medical-conditions.
