Skin Cancer Types

Skin Cancer Types

Skin cancer

This factsheet is for people who have skin cancer, or who would like information about it.

Skin cancer is a tumour or growth that grows in the skin cells. There are two main types of skin cancer, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). NMSC is the most common cancer in the UK. Melanoma skin cancer is less common but is more serious as it can spread to other organs very rapidly. There is a good chance that skin cancer can be cured if diagnosed and treated early.

About skin cancer

Types of skin cancer

Symptoms of skin cancer

Causes of skin cancer

Diagnosis of skin cancer

Treatment of skin cancer

Prevention of skin cancer

Help and support

Cancer animation

About skin cancer

The skin

The skin is made up of three layers:

Cancer can start from cells in any of these layers.

The structures and layers of the skin

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is created by an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells. Skin cancer can grow and spread to other parts of your body (through the bloodstream or the lymph system) where it may grow and form secondary tumours. There are different types of skin cancer, which are named depending on which cells they form from.

Types of skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer

Basal cell carcinoma

This is the most common form of skin cancer in people with fair skin. It’s rare in people with dark skin.

A basal cell carcinoma (BCC) forms from basal cells in the epidermis – usually in areas of skin that are exposed to the sun such as your head and neck. If untreated, this ulcer will grow deeper into your skin and damage nearby structures, for example your nose or an ear.

Squamous cell carcinoma

This is the second most common skin cancer.

An SCC can spread into the surrounding skin.

Melanoma skin cancer (malignant melanoma)

Melanoma is less common in people with dark skin.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer but it’s curable if found early.

Symptoms of skin cancer

Different types of skin cancer can look different.

SCCs often appear as small scaly or hard areas of skin with a red or pink base.

Melanoma usually starts as a dark spot or mole on your skin. If a melanoma spreads to other parts of your body, you can develop other symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes (glands throughout your body that are part of your immune system).

Symptoms that may indicate skin cancer include any mole or lesion that:

Causes of skin cancer

The cause of skin cancer isn’t fully understood at present. But there are certain factors that make skin cancer more likely. The main risk factor for any type of skin cancer is exposure to the intense ultraviolet (UV) light of sunshine.

The factors that may increase your risk of skin cancer include:

fair skin that burns easily – people with darker complexions have a lower risk of skin cancer

a family history of skin cancer

skin which has a lot of moles (more than 50)

if you work outdoors – you’re exposed to more sunlight than if you’re office-based

certain skin conditions – for example scarring from burns or skin ulcers

Diagnosis of skin cancer

A biopsy, where a small sample of the skin is removed. A sentinel node biopsy, in which your doctor will remove the closest lymph node that a melanoma skin cancer would drain into and examine it to see if cancer is present.

Treatment of skin cancer

Your treatment for skin cancer will depend on a number of factors such as your age and whether the cancer has spread and if so, how far.

Surgery

Your doctor will remove the cancer and some of the healthy skin surrounding it. Skin cancers such as BCC and SCC can also be destroyed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. Your doctor may recommend immunotherapy if there is a strong chance that your cancer will come back. If the cancer has spread, you may be given chemotherapy.

Prevention of skin cancer

To reduce your risk of skin cancer, you should minimise your exposure to the sun.

If you notice any changes in your skin, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible.

Different Types of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in humans. 2. And you can take preventive action to reduce your risk of getting skin cancer.

There are three major kinds of skin cancer:

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer. It also mainly developes on sun exposed areas. It is a slowly growing cancer with a tendency to spread to other parts of the body. Often there is a relation to actinic keratosis, a preliminary stage of skin cancer. If SCC detected early the cure rates are good. Malignant Melanoma (MM)
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous and life-threatening skin cancer of all. Precancerous Lesions
Sometimes there are also abnormal skin areas that are not yet skin cancer. They are called precancerous since they have the potential to turn into skin cancer. Actinic Keratosis (AK)
Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin disease which is often associated with SCC. It nearly always occurs on sun exposed areas and looks like a harmless rough scaly skin patch. But it may develop into skin cancer. Therefore always pay attention to your skin. Do not let an actinic keratosis turn into a skin cancer.

Skin Cancer Types
The most common forms of skin cancer are:

Basal cell carcinoma. This is the most common type of skin cancer, affecting about a million new people each year in the United States. Basal cell carcinoma:

Occurs most often in fair-skinned people whose skin is not likely to tan.

Squamous cell carcinoma. This is the second most frequently diagnosed type of skin cancer, with 250,000 Americans being diagnosed each year. Squamous cell carcinoma affects the very top layer of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma:

Squamous cell carcinoma, like basal cell carcinoma, is characterized by sores that won’t heal or quickly growing lesions on the skin, according to Dr. Martini.

Melanoma. When skin melanoma goes untreated and spreads beyond the skin and into other parts of the body, the condition can become very serious. Melanoma:

Malignant skin melanoma is characterized by a rapidly growing lesion that is multi-colored, often with black and pink, Martini says.

How to Help Prevent All Skin Cancer Types

As with any cancer, skin cancer has the best outcome with early diagnosis and treatment.

Follow these skin-cancer prevention tips, and your skin will thank you.