Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body, while a keloid is an irregular fibrous growth of extra scar tissue at the site of injury. It happens in areas where wounds have healed on the skin. Keloids aren’t contagious or cancerous. Experts don’t completely understand what causes keloid scars. But most agree it’s likely a dysfunction of the wound-healing process. There’s an indirect keloid and cancer relation following a series of skin symptoms.
Is it true that keloid scars are cancerous by nature?
Keloids themselves are not cancerous but may increase the risk of certain types of cancer. Keloids are a type of raised scar that can develop after an injury to the skin, such as a cut, burn, surgery, or even acne. They are characterized by an overgrowth of collagen and can extend beyond the original injury site. Other symptoms of keloids: Flesh-coloured, red, or pink scars located over the site of a wound or injury are lumpy or ridged, tender, and itchy. They get irritated from friction, such as rubbing on clothing. Tight, rigid tissue that limits movement may grow from keloids on a joint.
While keloids can be unsightly and sometimes cause discomfort or itching, they are generally benign (non-cancerous) and do not have the potential to become cancerous. It’s crucial to seek treatment for keloid scars as soon as possible because they might enlarge and become more noticeable if left untreated by a dermatologist.
Are there any similarities between keloids and skin cancer?
Scar tissue that forms following a significant burn or other injury might potentially evolve into skin cancer. Squamous cell skin cancer, which typically manifests years after the damage, is the type of skin cancer that most frequently develops on severely burned skin.
A scar that enlarges and becomes broader than the initial wound is called a keloid. The breastbone, shoulder, upper chest and back, earlobes, and cheek are the most common places where keloids occur. Because they both involve unchecked cell growth and proliferation, malignancies and keloids share similarities.
Although more scientific studies need to be done, keloids themselves aren’t contagious or cancerous, but they have a relatively higher than normal risk for several cancer types, especially skin cancers in every gender and pancreatic cancer in females. Therefore, patients with keloids should undergo regular skin examinations, and females with keloids should regularly undergo abdominal ultrasound.
Can keloid cause death?
In general, the presence of keloid alone is not likely to cause death. Keloids are more common in darker-skinned individuals, yet they can affect anyone. They can be painful or itchy but aren’t usually dangerous to a person’s health. They might, however, present a cosmetic issue based on their location. Fortunately, there are many treatment options to help remove keloids, but they often grow back after treatment. It’s possible to prevent a keloid from forming if you take steps to protect the skin after it is injured. Keloids can be naturally moisturized and protected from further damage.
However, it’s important to note that any sudden change in the appearance of a keloid, such as rapid growth, colour changes, or the development of new symptoms like pain or bleeding, needs immediate medical attention to prohibit cancer. Chances are there might be another underlying condition, and a proper investigation is important to rule out other concerns.
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