Types of Skin Cancer

Three different conditions

Skin cancer begins in cells in the upper layer of your skin.

There are three different types of skin cancer:

  • basal cell carcinoma
  • squamous cell carcinoma
  • melanoma

All three kinds of cancer begin in the cells of epidermis, the skin's upper layer.

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer in fair-skinned people. It usually shows up on the face, ears, scalp, neck, or upper body. This type of cancer can appear as:

basal cell carcinoma
  • a red patch
  • a pink, red, or white bump that is shiny or pearly
  • a crusty, open sore that will not heal
  • a scar-like area

Basal cell carcinoma may have slightly raised edges with a crusty, indented center. This type of cancer grows very slowly and usually does not spread to other parts of the body. It is generally treated by:

  • removing the tumor (with surgery)

OR

  • freezing the tumor, which is called cryotherapy

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer in fair-skinned people. It is twice as common in men as in women. Like other skin cancers, squamous cell carcinoma is caused by too much exposure to sunlight. It may appear as a bump or scaly red patch on the face, ear, lips, or mouth.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a slow-growing cancer but it can spread to other parts of the body. Because this cancer can spread, it is important to treat it as early as possible. Treatment is done through surgery or radiation therapy.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a very common kind of cancer, but it is the least common of the three types of skin cancer. It is also the most serious.

Melanoma begins in the melanocytes. These are the skin cells that make the pigment (another word for color) called melanin. Melanin gives skin its color and it gives "melanoma" its name.

Melanoma can spread quickly to other parts of the body so it is important to find and treat melanoma in its early stages.

Cancer
A general term for more than 100 different diseases that involve the uncontrolled increase of abnormal new cells. These cells form tumors that can destroy surrounding tissue and spread throughout the body.
Cell
The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.
Cryotherapy
Melanin
A dark-brown to black pigment found in the skin, hair, and parts of the eyes.
Melanocyte
A cell in the skin and eyes that produces and contains the pigment called melanin.
Melanoma
A highly malignant type of skin cancer that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.
Radiation therapy
The treatment of cancer with high-energy X-rays. Also called radiotherapy.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Cancer of the squamous cell.
Stage
The extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
Tumor
An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division. Tumors perform no useful body function. They may either be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).