A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
S-100 B: A protein secreted by malignant melanoma cells, and being investigated as a tumor marker.
Satellite metastases: Areas of visible tumor growth extending beyond the primary melanoma.
Seborrheic keratoses: Raised, benign, waxy-looking lesions resulting from excessive growth of keratinocytes. They can appear on sun-exposed or covered areas, and range in color from tan to dark brown or black.
Sentinel lymph node: The first lymph node or nodes to receive drainage from a tumor site and therefore most likely to harbor metastatic disease, if any lymph nodes are involved.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy: A procedure in which only the sentinel node is removed to determine whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
Sentinel lymph node mapping: A diagnostic procedure used to determine the first lymph node or nodes that drain a tumor. After being identified, the sentinel lymph node may be removed and examined for possible lymph node involvement.
Shave biopsy: Type of skin biopsy in which the top layers of the skin (the epidermis and a part of the dermis) are "shaved" off with a surgical blade. Shave biopsies are most useful in diagnosing superficial, benign skin diseases that do not require a deep tissue sample.
Skin: The outer covering of the body and the body's largest organ, consisting of an outer layer (epidermis), an inner layer (dermis), and a layer of fatty tissue (subcutis). The skin protects underlying tissue and internal organs from injury and microorganisms, controls the loss of water and other fluids, and regulates body temperature.
Skin cancer screening: Examination of apparently healthy individuals in order to detect unrecognized skin cancer or precancerous lesions.
Skin grafting: A procedure where skin from another part of the body is taken to cover a surgical excision.
Skin lesion: Any benign or malignant growth on the skin. Benign growths include moles and freckles; malignant growths include skin cancers, such as melanomas.
Skin self-examination: Checking one's own skin from head to toe for signs of melanoma, including changes in existing moles and the development of new moles. Self-examination is the most effective way to find melanoma in its early, most treatable stages.
SPF: Sun protection factor.
Squamous cell carcinoma: A type of skin cancer arising from squamous cells.
Squamous cells: Flat cells located in the middle layer of the epidermis, and that make keratin, an important skin protein.
Stage: The extent of a cancer within the body; especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. The stage of disease usually correlates with prognosis. The system for staging melanoma has 4 main stages: stages I and II for melanoma confined to the skin; stage III for lymph node involvement; and stage IV for spread of melanoma to other organs.
Staging: A process of describing the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
Stereotactic radiosurgery: A high-precision method of radiation therapy in which several powerful beams of radiation located at different angles around the head come together to focus precisely on a brain tumor.
Subcutaneous: Pertaining to the fatty layer of tissue beneath the skin.
Subcutaneous layer: See subcutis.
Subcutis: The deepest layer of skin, containing fatty tissue and collagen. The subcutis conserves heat and helps protect the body's organs from injury. Also known as the subcutaneous layer,
Sun protection factor (SPF): A scale for measuring how long a sunscreen protects the skin from UVB rays before sunburn occurs, compared to how long it takes to burn without protection. Sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher provide the best protection from the sun's harmful rays.
Sunblock: A substance that physically deflects ultraviolet rays and is recommended for people who are out in intense sun for long periods of time.
Sunburn: A reddening of the skin caused when ultraviolet radiation damages blood vessels close to the skin's surface. Sunburn occurs when the skin cannot produce protective melanin quickly enough or in sufficient quantity.
Sunscreen: A substance that helps to absorb, reflect, or scatter most of the sun's harmful rays. Recommended sunscreens offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and have an SPF of at least 15. Using lotions or creams that contain sunscreens can help protect the skin from premature skin aging and damage that may lead to cancer.
Superficial spreading melanoma: the most common type of melanoma, spreading along the epidermis for a period of months to years before penetrating more deeply into the skin. The melanoma appears as a flat or barely raised lesion, often with irregular borders and variations in color. Lesions most commonly appear on the trunks of men, the legs of women, and the upper back of both sexes.
Surgery: An operation to remove or repair a part of the body, or to find out whether disease is present.
Surgical oncologist: A surgeon who specializes in treating patients who have cancer, and has usually received subspecialty training in cancer management.
Symptomatic: Producing obvious signs or symptoms of disease.
Systemic treatment: A treatment using substances that travel through the bloodstream to reach and affect cancer cells all over the body. Systemic treatments include chemotherapy and immunotherapy.