Under skin metastases, experts mean areas of malignant neoplasms of a secondary nature. Their manifestation, as a rule, occurs in the area of \u200b\u200bthe location of the lymph nodes or veins. On the skin, they can be observed only in 0.7-9.0% of all patients diagnosed with cancer.
Factors of occurrence
Metastasis, which manifests itself on the skin, can occur regardless of the type of malignant neoplasm. However, as practice shows, there are very few cases of skin metastases in cancer of the internal organs.
If we talk about the tendencies of their formation in other types of tumors, then in this case they are not the same. So, in the case of the fairer sex, the following factors can become a catalyst for the occurrence of metastases:
- The development of breast cancer, which is the most common cause of such skin lesions.
- Malignant lesion of the colon.
- 5% of the timeyou can observe how metastases of melanoma of the skin appear.
- Malignant neoplasm in the ovaries.
Metastases on the skin of men
If we talk about men, then they have metastasis on the skin appears in the following cases:
- Lung cancer, which occurs in 25% of patients.
- Colon oncology.
- Malignant lesions of the tissues of the oral cavity.
According to the overwhelming number of medical specialists, the fact that metastases on the skin are a rather rare manifestation can be explained by the high protective ability of the epidermis. It is for this reason that the vast majority of cancer cells, having reached epithelial tissues, simply die.
Varieties of skin cancer
Speaking of skin cancer, experts mean several oncological pathologies at once, the origin, symptoms and prognosis of which also differ. Pathologies such as metastases of skin basalioma, squamous cell malignancy of the skin or melanoma, according to statistics, are detected most often. To determine exactly what kind of oncological pathology is taking place, only such a specialist as an oncologist-dermatologist can.
If we talk about basilioma, then this type of skin cancer is considered the most common and develops from skin cells. If you look at the photo, metastases on the skin look like a small convex nodule, under which blood vessels are visible. Often suchneoplasms can be observed on the skin of the face, in some cases - the scalp. As a rule, this type of cancer progresses very slowly and does not form metastases, so the prognosis for such patients is favorable.
How do skin metastases look like in squamous cell carcinoma? In this case, they resemble a large neoplasm, similar to a wart on a thin stalk. In almost 100% of cases, these warts are localized on the lower lip. With this variety, the pathological process is able to penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis and affect other organs and tissues through the bloodstream.
Melanoma is formed due to the pigmentation of skin cells. This oncological process develops, as a rule, in the area of localization of moles or freckles. The danger of melanoma lies in the fact that it is a very aggressive type of cancer and metastasizes already in the early stages of development. Therefore, people who have many moles and age spots on the body are advised to constantly monitor their condition. If we talk about the stages of the pathological process, then skin cancer goes from zero to stage 4.
Clinical picture
Everyone should understand that the manifestation of secondary signs of a cancerous process on the skin indicates the 3rd or 4th stage of the oncological process, when the clinical picture becomes more pronounced, and the chances of successful treatment are reduced to zero. Therefore, speaking about how metastases look on the skin, one shouldkeep in mind that their localization depends on the area of the oncological lesion.
General symptoms in this case are as follows:
- a state of general weakness and drowsiness, as well as decreased performance;
- failure of physical strength;
- pain in the area of neoplasm development;
- significant weight loss;
- high body temperature;
- susceptibility to various diseases and a decrease in the body's natural defenses;
- a state of depression, etc.
As for the clinical manifestations of the indicated secondary signs on the skin, there can be a lot of options. Most often, the appearance of nodules can be observed. At the same time, their number and size can reach a variety of values.
The skin in the areas where such metastases have appeared may remain unchanged. However, if these elements are located close to the surface of the epidermis, then in this case the skin may acquire a bluish or pinkish tint.
One of the characteristic signs of metastases on the skin, experts consider the dense structure of the nodes and the high rate of their development. It often happens that these nodules begin to ulcerate and disintegrate.
According to some experts, there are no specific skin symptoms with a metastatic tumor. However, as practice shows, in the case of the development of breast cancer on the skin, one can often observe manifestations resembling signs of erysipelas or scleroderma.
Methods of detectionpathology
Detection of skin metastases is carried out by specialists by studying clinical manifestations or doing histological studies.
As a key histological sign of a developing tumor, experts call the absence of symptoms of the inflammatory process. In the case of primary tumors, in almost all cases, an inflammatory infiltrate is detected.
Therapeutic interventions
In the treatment of metastases of the skin affected by the oncological process, the following therapeutic methods are used:
- radiotherapy;
- chemotherapy, when injections are made into the lesion;
- measures to strengthen the local immune system;
- photodynamic treatment;
- removal of the focus of metastasis by surgery.
In practice, combined treatment is often used with the simultaneous use of several methods at once.
Medicine today does not stand still, new treatments are being developed for a huge number of diseases, including cancer. In this case, hyperthermia can also be called as an alternative therapeutic method to combat oncology. It refers to the thermal effect on the entire body or a separate area of the lesion. The essence of this method is the effect of high temperatures on the lesions, as a result of which cancer cells die, and he althy tissues do not overheat. In addition, thanks tothis method activates the immune system.
Folk recipes
You can use traditional medicine to fight metastases as an addition to traditional therapeutic measures and only after consultation on this issue with your doctor. In the treatment of the oncological process, poisonous plants are used, and therefore it is important to adhere to the dosage and duration of the therapeutic course.
It is possible to stop the process of metastasis growth using propolis with oil. To do this, you need to take butter and propolis in equal proportions and heat these components in a water bath until completely dissolved. The resulting composition should be poured into a container and stored in a cool place protected from sunlight. This tool is recommended to use 1 teaspoon every morning half an hour before meals. The break between such courses of treatment should be at least 2 weeks.
Hemlock seeds are poisonous. Therefore, it is important to follow all the rules when preparing tinctures based on them and using them. It is important to understand that exceeding the dosage is fraught with negative he alth consequences. To prepare a healing tincture, pour 25 g of seeds with half a liter of vodka. The resulting solution should be placed in a dark cool place for 10 days. The drug should be taken daily in the morning 30 minutes before meals. In this case, the dosage should begin with 1 drop, increasing daily by 1 drop, to reach40 drops per application.
Prognosis for patients
As noted above, the manifestation of metastases is an indicator characteristic of the later stages of the development of pathology. For this reason, the prognosis for such patients is very unfavorable. The average life expectancy of such patients at this stage is 6.5 months. In some cases, you can talk about 12 months.
Conclusion
The formation of metastases on the skin is not only a cosmetic defect, but can also bring great discomfort to patients. For such patients, timely treatment is very important, which will keep the condition at a satisfactory level.
