Types of Skin Cancer

Types of Skin Cancer

There are 3 basic types of skin cancer;

  • Melanoma
  • Basal Cell Carcinoma
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Melanoma

Melanoma originates in melanocytes.

Melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer, and more people every year are developing melanoma. It has become so prevalent that it is the 5th most common cancer in men and women.

But it takes a while for most melanomas to develop and grow. As a result, like all cancers, early detection is your greatest ally. Learning what to look for, and learning that it is easier to ask than to panic or hide, is your best friend.

Keep in mind that most marks on the body that people ask about are NOT dangerous. Some of the most common growths on the body seborrheic keratoses and lentigines (sun spots) can actually look troubling, although they will never hurt you.

What to look for is as easy as ABCDE, an acronym that Dr. Friedman, founder of the company, helped to develop.

A = Asymmetry
B = Irregular Borders
C = Different Colors
D = Diameter enlarging or bigger than a pencil eraser (6 mm or about 1/4 inch)
E = Evolving (or changing)

For more information online:

We are supporters of The Skin Cancer foundation and
for further information recommend their web site,
www.skincancer.org/Melanoma.html
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/melanoma
www.skincancer.org

Basal Cell Cancer

Basal Cell Cancer does not grow very rapidly, and
tumors are most often benign, which means that they
do not spread and are rarely lethal.

Basal Cell Cancer is the most common skin cancer. In fact, it is the most common cancer: nearly 1 of 3 of all cancers is a Basal Cell Cancer, and it is definitively related to the sun and sun exposure. It rarely causes death, but must be treated, so it does not grow and cause disfigurement or other problems.

There are also 5 warning signs associated with this much less dangerous skin cancer:

  • A sore which won’t heal
  • A red or irritated patch which won’t go away
  • A shiny (pearlescent) bump
  • A pink growth with a central sore
  • A scar-like area

For more information online:
www.skincancer.org/the-five-warning-signs-images.html

Squamous Cell Cancers

Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma is linked
to long term, cumulative sun exposure.

Squamous Cell Cancers are about 25% as common as Basal Cells, but do stand a very small chance (<.01%) of spreading and causing death. They often start as small rough flaky areas (actinic keratoses), a very small number of which might develop into a skin cancer over the course of many years. These “pre-cancers” are very common. They are easily treated by your doctor using relatively simple techniques.

For more information online:
www.skincancer.org/squamous-cell-carcinoma.html

Between the Basal Cell and Squamous Cell cancers almost half the people who live to age 65 will develop at least one. General links you will find helpful for more detailed information include:
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/skin
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/skin
www.skincancer.org
www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1_What_You_Need_To_Know_About_Skin_Cancer.asp?sitearea=PED