Types of skin cancer are named for the specific types of skin cells which mutate, due to UV exposure or natural decay, and begin to reproduce improperly and form cancerous tumors.

Different types of skin cells make up different layers of the skin. The most common cancers are formed in squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes, forming squamous or basal cell carcinoma, or melanoma. Squamous cells are the top layer of the epidermis, the round, flat cells which make up the surface of the skin. Underneath are basal cells which make up the rest of the epidermis, and between the dermis and epidermis are melanocytes, which are the cells which pigment the skin.

For purposes of treatment, skin cancer is separated into two main groups. These are melanoma and nonmelanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and the most common forms of nonmelanoma skin cancers are squamous and basal cell carcinoma. There are other, rarer forms of skin cancer as well, which fall under the nonmelanoma category.

For the most part, methods of prevention are the same for both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Overexposure to UV radiation is a major risk factor, and the sun should be avoided during its midday peak. Protective clothing, or failing that, sunscreen should be worn when out in the sun even under light cloud cover. Getting even one blistering sunburn is a risk factor for skin cancer. Tanning beds are a risk factor specifically for melanoma, even with minimal usage, so you should strictly abstain from their use. If you insist on getting a light tan, doing so under the sun is healthier because melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer can be slightly more difficult to detect, because it may present itself as a rash, wound, or lump that doesn't properly heal. These irregularities should be looked at by a doctor when detected, and you should regularly check your skin, including your scalp and hard to reach places, as skin cancer is usually painless. Most of the time, it appears on the face or in body parts exposed to sunlight.

Melanoma often appears as a mole-like growth, and existing moles can turn into melanoma. Moles, or nevi, are common benign growths which stem from melanocytes. If you have an unusually high number of nevi or multiple dysplastic nevi, or irregularly-shaped moles, you should take special care to check them for changes. A change in the size, color, shape, or surrounding skin of a mole can signify melanoma.

Both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer should be treated as soon as possible to avoid metastasis. Even in earlier stages of development, especially with melanoma, your doctor may need to remove nearby lymph nodes, as skin cancer tends to spread through the lymphatic system. In early stages, surgery can eliminate a skin tumor, although with melanoma sometimes enough surrounding tissue must be taken that a skin graft is necessary. If additional tumors form in other parts of the body due to metastasis, chemotherapy and additional surgeries may be necessary. This is a particularly serious situation if melanoma spreads.

Different types of skin cancer have a different appearance and slightly different treatments, but early detection is the key to effectively curing any skin cancer.



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Any kind of cancer is frightening and potentially deadly, but skin cancer is not only preventable, but also detectable and easily treated in its early stages. If skin cancer is detected in its earliest stages, you may be able to remove it completely through outpatient surgery without having to undergo any further radiation or chemotherapy. If you adopt behavior which reduces risk factors for skin cancer, and learn to detect skin cancer warning signs, skin cancer will not cause you unnecessary suffering.

Risk factor is a term used for factors associated with higher instances of contracting a disease. The exact cause-effect relationship is not scientifically proven, although reasons are often hypothesized and widely assumed to be true, but the statistical relationship between risk factors and contracting a specific disease is proven.

It may already be too late for you to avoid one of the risk factors for skin cancer, which is having had a blistering sunburn at any point in your life. This is specifically a sunburn severe enough to cause blisters in the skin due to overexposure to UV radiation. Avoid severe sunburns in the future whether you have ever suffered one or not, and avoid exposing yourself to too much sun in general. If you have children, you can greatly reduce their risk of skin cancer in the future making sure they do not suffer a severe sunburn during their childhood.

The midday sun should be avoided if possible, and strong sunscreen or protective clothing significantly reduce skin cancer risk. The most common place for skin cancer to present itself is on the face, although it can be anywhere on your skin and in the case of melanoma, in the eye. Brimmed hats or sunscreen and UV blocking shades are recommended.

If your doctor detects skin cancer in its earliest stages, the treatment will be the relatively painless surgical removal of the tumor and any surrounding tissue which may contain cancerous cells, and this may be the only treatment you need to get rid of the tumor and prevent it from growing back. As the disease progresses, the treatment gets more severe, including surgical removal of lymph nodes, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and the side effects that come along with these treatments. If a tumor is allowed to metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body, skin cancer may become deadly.

You can make sure skin cancer is detected early by doing periodical examinations of your skin to look for any changes. Moles are normal, but if you have irregularly shaped moles (dysplastic nevi), you may want a doctor's help to watch for any changes in these moles and assure that they do not turn into melanoma. If moles grow in size, change shape or color, or the surrounding tissue becomes irritated, you should see a doctor. Also check for lumps, which may be your skin tone or red, and any odd sores or rashes that do not heal. If you see any of these, they should be reviewed by a doctor.

You can lower the risk of suffering from skin cancer through prevention and by checking for skin cancer warning signs.



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If skin cancer is detected early, it can sometimes be removed through simple outpatient surgery. This common disease can be detected in its early stages because it appears on the patient's skin, and if early warnings are taken advantage of, difficult treatments with severe side effects may not be necessary. Familiarize yourself with the first signs of skin cancer, and check your skin for irregularities that may require you to see a doctor.

The consequences of skin cancer are much more severe if it is not detected in its early stages. It can spread through the lymphatic system, forcing patients to have nearby lymph nodes surgically removed. This can cause slight dysfunction in the lymphatic system and impair mobility or cause general discomfort. A tumor in advanced stages of development may metastasize, and removing local lymph nodes can prevent further spreading. When a tumor metastasizes, other tumors can grow in other organs in the body, but they will be made up of the same squamous, basal, or melanocyte cells as the original skin cancer which has spread. This condition will require additional forms of therapy, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or additional surgeries to remove new tumors.

If detected early, skin cancer can be surgically removed, and if it hasn't spread to other parts of the body, removal and possibly topical radiation or chemotherapy will get rid of the tumor and prevent regrowth.

Just like a breast examination, it is recommended that you regularly perform a skin self-examination. Look over your skin, including the your scalp and between your toes, and check for anything unusual that may require a doctor's review.

You should examine and keep track of your moles, also known as nevi. These are benign melanocyte growths, stemming from the cells which pigment your skin. Moles are very common growths, and most people have between 10 and 40 moles on their skin. If you have a significantly higher number of nevi, this is considered a melanoma risk factor and you should be especially vigilant, making regular skin examinations and checking for new moles or changes in existing moles. If you have dysplastic nevi, which are moles which have an odd or asymmetrical shape, you should pay special attention to any changes they may undergo. If the shape or color of a dysplastic nevus changes or if the skin around it becomes red or irritated, you should consult a doctor.

Rashes and wounds that do not heal may be signs of squamous or basal cell cancer, as may be red or waxy lumps.

If you recognize the first signs of skin cancer and have a doctor review any suspicious irregularities, you can effectively stop skin cancer in its early stages and fully recover.


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