Types OF Skin Cancer

Types OF Skin Cancer

This page tells you about the different types of non-melanoma skin cancer.  The main types of non-melanoma skin cancer Rarer types of non-melanoma skins cancer
NB: Non-melanoma skin cancer is different from malignant melanoma, the type of skin cancer that most often develops from a mole.  If you are looking for information on malignant melanoma, go to the separate CancerHelp UK section about malignant melanoma.

The main types of non-melanoma skin cancer

There are 2 main types of non-melanoma skin cancer, which are named after the types of skin cells from which the cancers develop.  It is possible for a non-melanoma skin cancer to be a mixture of both these types

Basal cell skin cancer Squamous cell skin cancer

Bowen’s disease is a very early form of non-melanoma skin cancer.  If not treated, it can develop into squamous cell skin cancer.

Basal cell skin cancer

This is the most common type of skin cancer.  About 3 out of 4 (75%) non-melanoma skin cancers diagnosed are this type.  This cancer develops from basal cells, which are in the deepest layer of the epidermis.
If basal cell cancer is left untreated, it can develop into a rodent ulcer.
It is very rare for a basal cell skin cancer to spread to another part of the body to form a secondary cancer.

Squamous cell skin cancer
About 1 in 5 (20%) skin cancers diagnosed  are this type.  Squamous cell cancer most often develops in areas that have been exposed to the sun.  In a small number of cases, squamous cell cancer can develop in the genital area.
If squamous cell cancer does spread, it is most often to the deeper layers of the skin.

Rarer types of non-melanoma skin cancer

There are other less common types of skin cancer.  Added together, these types make up only about 1 in 100 (1%) cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the UK.  Merkel cell carcinoma  Kaposi’s sarcoma  T cell lymphoma of the skin  Sarcoma

These cancers are all treated differently from basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers.  T cell lymphoma of the skin can also be called primary cutaneous lymphoma.  There is information about T cell lymphoma of the skin in the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma section of CancerHelp UK.  It is a cancer that begins in the cells lining the blood vessels in the skin.

The three main types of skin cancer are:

Basal cell carcinoma:

most common and least dangerous form of skin cancer

red, pale or pearly in colour

Squamous cell carcinoma:

less common, but more dangerous than basal cell carcinoma

not as dangerous as melanoma

appears on skin most often exposed to the sun

grows over weeks to months and may spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly.

Melanoma

Melanoma is cancer of the skin’s melanocytes (pigment cells) and the most deadly form of skin cancer. Common (or superficial spreading) melanoma:

the least common but most serious form of skin cancer

appears as a new spot or an existing spot, freckle or mole that changes colour, size or shape

if untreated, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body.

grows quickly

Other skin spots

These spots, while not skin cancer, may be warning signs of sun damage and future skin cancer. If you have any of these spots you should regularly check your skin for any changes.

appear as red, flattish, scaling dry skin that may sting if scratched

Moles:

harmless coloured spots that range from 1 mm to 10 mm in diameter

Seborrhoeic keratoses:

vary in colour from pale brown to orange or black

Most skin cancer can be prevented by protecting yourself from the sun. See sun protection.

Check your skin at least every six months. If you notice any new or unusual spots, or discover a spot that has changed shape, colour or size, see your doctor. Most skin cancers can be cured if treated early.

Understanding Five Types of Skin Cancer

There are five different types of skin cancer. The most common type of skin cancer is Basal cell carcinoma with over a million Americans developing this cancer each year. Seventy five percent of all skin cancers treated are of this variety.

This type of skin cancer is believed by physicians to be caused by a person spending too much time in the sun. Which is why this type of skin cancers tends to be found ion the more common places on the body that has sun exposure. The next in line is the most dangerous of the skin cancers. That one is Melanoma and it affects four percent of those who are treated for skin cancers. The remaining one percent if divided between Paget’s disease and Kaposi’s sarcoma. Kaposi’s sarcoma is an AIDS related skin cancer related to herpes.