Carcinoma is a term covering cancers that originate in epithelial tissues and spread to the surrounding area. Since epithelial cells are in the internal cavities of the body, on the skin and in the lining of all glandular tissues, carcinoma makes up the majority of cancers of the skin, breast, intestines, uterus and tongue. The symptoms of carcinoma vary and depend on the area and type of tissue involved.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Symptoms
Basal cell carcinoma, or BCC, is a nonmelanoma skin cancer that starts in the epidermis, which is the top layer of skin. It is slow-growing and painless. BCC may be suspected for a new skin growth that doesn't heal well and that bleeds easily.
Other symptoms of BCC, as reported by MedlinePlus, include a skin growth or bump with a pearly, waxy, flesh-colored, brown, white or light pink appearance. BCC has irregular blood vessels around the growth, a sunken area in the middle, or is oozing and crusting. Factors that determine the need for a biopsy for BCC include the shape, texture, size and color of a skin growth.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Symptoms
Squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC, is the second most common skin cancer in the United States, according to PDRhealth.com. While it can occur in the mouth or genital mucus membranes, the most common location is on sun-exposed areas of the body. SCC develops in the squamous cells of the outer skin layer. If left untreated, the cancer can spread into the deeper layers of skin and metastasize to other tissues and organs.
The symptoms of SCC lesions on the skin, as reported by PDRhealth.com, include skin color changes of pink, brown, red or flesh-colored; a size between microscopic and usually less than 1 cm in diameter; scaly, crusty and rough, sandpaper-like texture; possible growth of horn-like structures; and open sores with occasional bleeding. SCC on the lips is white and scaly, and on mucous membranes, it is a thickened, whitish patch.
Lung Cancer Symptoms
The two types of lung cancer are small cell and non-small cell, with symptoms and treatments different for each type. The more common type, according to the UCSF Medical Center, is non-small cell, which is divided into four main types: squamous cell carcinoma, bronchoalveolar carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. The cell type determines the cancer name.
Common symptoms of all types of lung cancer include chest pain, fatigue, chronic cough that worsens, neck and facial swelling, loss of appetite, blood-tinged sputum, shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness, bone pain and repeated bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia.
