Age spot and skin cancer are two different skin conditions. In fact, some age spots may look suspiciously like melanoma or skin cancer. It is natural to develop new spots on the skin as people age. These spots have nothing to do with cancer, and they are caused instead by long-term sun exposure.
The key difference between age spot and skin cancer is their cause. Age spot is an area of the skin with increased pigmentation, while skin cancer is a kind of cancer that starts in the melanocytes in the skin.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is an Age Spot
3. What is Skin Cancer
4. Similarities – Age Spot and Skin Cancer
5. Age Spot vs Skin Cancer in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Age Spot vs Skin Cancer
7. FAQ – Age Spot and Skin Cancer
What is an Age Spot?
An age spot is also known as a liver spot. It is a flat, oval area of increased pigmentation in the skin. It is caused by ultraviolet (UV) light that hits the skin, which speeds up melanin production. It can also be caused by commercial tanning lamps and beds and radiation therapy. The signs and symptoms of this condition include spots ranging from light brown to black in color, spots that have the same texture as the rest of the skin, spots that vary from the size of very small freckles to an inch in diameter, spots that may appear along or in a group, and spots that are round or oval, with very defined edges.
Figure 01: Age Spot
Age spot can be diagnosed through visual inspection and biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for age spots may include prescription medication (hydroquinone and retinoids) and medical procedures such as intense pulsed light (IPL), chemical peel, dermabrasion, cryosurgery, laser therapy, and microdermabrasion.
What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is due to the abnormal growth of skin cells. There are three types: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Among them, melanoma is the major skin cancer. The symptoms of skin cancer may include new moles, moles that increases in size, the outline of the mole becoming notched, spots that change colour from brown to black, and spots that become raised or develop to lumps within. Moreover, skin cancer occurs in the DNA of skin cells.
Figure 02: Skin Cancer
Skin cancer can be diagnosed by examining the skin, skin biopsy, and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for skin cancer include excisional surgery, Mohs surgery, curettage and electrodesiccation, cryotherapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and biological therapy.
Similarities Between Age Spot and Skin Cancer
- Age spots and skin cancer are two different skin conditions.
- Both conditions can trigger sun exposure.
- These conditions have darker spots on the skin.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and biopsy.
- They can be treated through specific therapies.
Difference Between Age Spot and Skin Cancer
Definition
- Age spot is a blemish on the skin associated with aging and exposure to sunlight.
- Skin cancer is an abnormal skin cell growth.
Cause
- Age spots can be caused by exposure to sunlight, commercial tanning lamps and beds, and radiation therapy.
- Skin cancer can be caused by DNA mutations in the skin cells.
Signs and Symptoms
- The signs and symptoms of age spots include flat, oval areas of increased pigmentation that are tan to dark brown, occurring on sun-exposed skin and ranging from freckle-sized to about 1/2 inch in diameter, appearing either individually or in groups.
- The signs and symptoms of skin cancer include large brownish spots with darker speckles, pearly or waxy bumps or firm, red nodules, new moles, and moles that increase in size.
Diagnosis
- Age spots can be diagnosed with a visual inspection, a biopsy, or both.
- Skin cancer can be diagnosed through skin examination, skin biopsy, and genetic testing.
Treatment
- Treatment options for age spots include using medications like, hydroquinone, retinol, bleaching creams, and medical procedures like chemical peel, microdermabrasion, intense pulsed light, cryotherapy, laser therapy and laser resurfacing.
- Treatment options for skin cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immune therapy, photodynamic therapy, targeted therapy, and other drug therapy.
The following table summarizes the difference between age spot and skin cancer.
Summary – Age Spot vs Skin Cancer
Age spots and skin cancer are two different skin conditions. Age spots are flat, oval areas of increased pigmentation on the skin, while skin cancer is a type of cancer that arises from the skin. Furthermore, age spots are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light for years, whereas skin cancer is caused by DNA mutations in skin cells. This is the summary of the difference between age spot and skin cancer.
FAQ: Age Spot and Skin Cancer
1. What causes age spots?
- Age spots are caused by overexposure to sunlight over the years. When ultraviolet (UV) light hits the skin, it speeds up melanin production. Over time, this process may lead to age spots. It may also develop after using commercial tanning lamps and beds and medical treatments such as radiation therapy.
2. What is the best treatment for age spots?
- Microdermabrasion is the best treatment for age spots. During this procedure, a dermatologist will smooth away age spots. They can also be treated with medications like hydroquinone, retinol, bleaching creams, and other procedures like chemical peel, laser surgery, laser resurfacing, intense pulsed light, and cryotherapy.
3. What does a cancerous spot look like?
- The signs and symptoms of skin cancer include spots that are brown to black, spots that become raised or develop as lumps within it, the edges of the spots that are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred, spots that are freckle-sized or larger than ¼ inch, new moles, and moles that increase in size.
4. How to early detect skin cancer?
- Skin cancer is a large brownish spot with darker speckles. It can be a painful lesion with itching. Moreover, skin cancers can be diagnosed through skin examination and skin biopsy.
5. Can skin cancer be completely cured?
- Nearly all skin cancers can be cured if they are treated before they have a chance to spread. The current treatment options for skin cancers include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immune therapy, photodynamic therapy and targeted therapy.
Reference:
1. “Age Spots (Liver Spots).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “1 in 5 People Get Skin Cancer.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Liver spots, light-skinned Caucasian man, age 63” By Beyond My Ken – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Superficial basal cell carcinoma” By Kelly Nelson, M.D., (Photographer) – Visuals Online at the National Cancer Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
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