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Skin cancer may start as a new spot on the skin that changes in size, shape, or texture
Skin cancer usually occurs when overexposure to ultraviolet rays causes damage to skin DNA, leading to abnormal cells that grow uncontrollably and form a mass. Other causes of skin cancer include exposure to certain chemicals or toxins.
There are several types of cancer that are categorized by where the cancer begins.
7 types of skin cancer
1. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. BCC often:
- Develops in people who have fair skin, though people with dark skin can also get this skin cancer
- Presents as a flesh-colored, pearl-like bump or a pinkish patch of skin
- Develops after years of frequent sun exposure or indoor tanning
- Affects the head, neck, and arms, although it can form anywhere on the body, including the chest, abdomen, and legs
Early diagnosis and treatment for BCC are crucial. If left untreated, it can penetrate the nerves and bones, causing damage and disfigurement.
Signs and symptoms of basal cell carcinoma include:
- Pearly or waxy bump
- Flat, flesh-colored, or brown scar-like lesion
- Bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and recurs
2. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. People who have light skin are most likely to develop SCC. SCC often:
- Looks like a red, firm bump, scaly patch, or a sore that heals and then reappears
- Forms on skin that gets frequent sun exposure, such as the rim of the ear, face, neck, arms, chest, and back
- Grows deep into the skin
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent SCC from growing deep and spreading to other areas of the body.
SCC can also develop from precancerous skin growths. Some people develop dry, scaly patches or spots on their skin called actinic keratoses (AK) due to too much sun exposure. An AK is not skin cancer but a precancerous skin growth that can turn into squamous cell carcinoma. AK usually forms on the skin that gets lots of sun exposure, such as the head, neck, hands, and forearms.
Signs and symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma include:
- Firm pink or red nodule
- Flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
3. Melanoma
Melanoma is often referred to as the most serious type of skin cancer because it is more likely to spread.
Melanoma can develop in a mole that you already have or appear suddenly as a new dark spot on the skin that looks different from other moles. If left untreated, melanomas can spread to other parts of your body and become harder to treat.
Signs and symptoms of melanoma include:
- Large brownish spot with darker speckles
- Mole that changes in color, size, or texture
- Mole that bleeds
- Small lesion with an irregular border and parts that appear red, pink, white, blue, or blue-black
- Painful lesion that itches or burns
- Dark lesions on the palms, soles, fingertips, toes, or mucus membranes lining the mouth, nose, vagina, or anus
4. Markel cell skin cancer
Markel cell skin cancer is a rare type of skin cancer caused by an overgrowth of Merkel cells. Merkel cells are a specialized kind of cells found in the epidermis. Merkel cell cancer appears to occur more often in men than in women and is more common in people with lighter skin.
Although uncommon, this type of cancer is very dangerous because it can quickly spread to other parts of the body.
Signs and symptoms of Merkel cell carcinoma include:
- Small, reddish, or purplish bump on sun-exposed areas of the skin
- Lumps are fast-growing and sometimes open as ulcers or sores
5. Lymphoma of the skin lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are white blood cells that work as a part of the immune system to defend against infection and disease. When the cells start to grow irregularly on the skin, it is called skin lymphoma.
6. Kaposi sarcoma (KS)
Kaposi sarcoma appears as red, brown, or purple patches on the skin. These areas are called KS lesions and typically appear on the legs, feet, or face, although they can also appear in the genital area, mouth, or lymph nodes.
When they remain on the surface, you may not experience any symptoms. However, KS lesions can spread inside the body, such as the throat or stomach. After spreading, they can cause bleeding and become life-threatening.
7. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare type of skin cancer that begins in the dermis, which is the middle layer of the skin. DFSP grows slowly, rarely spreads, and has a high survival rate.
Signs and symptoms of DFSP include:
- Purple, pink, red, or brown scar-like bump or rough, raised plaque on the skin
- Birthmark-like appearance in newborns and children
What are risk factors for skin cancer?
Many of the causes of skin cancer are unclear. Most moles do not turn into melanomas, and researchers are not sure why some do. However, risk factors may make you more prone to developing skin cancers:
- UV light exposure
- UV light exposure is a significant risk factor for many types of skin cancer. UV rays damage your skin cells. When the damage causes an overgrowth of cells, skin cancer develops. Sources of UV light include:
- Sun
- Tanning beds
- Sun lamps
- UV light exposure is a significant risk factor for many types of skin cancer. UV rays damage your skin cells. When the damage causes an overgrowth of cells, skin cancer develops. Sources of UV light include:
- Moles
- Moles do not always indicate skin cancer. However, they are more likely to develop into melanoma if you have many of them.
- Light skin, light hair, and freckles
- Family history of skin cancer
- If your parents, siblings, or children are diagnosed with melanoma, you are at a higher risk of developing the disease. If you have a family history of skin cancer, experts suggest you to:
- Perform self-skin checks once a month
- Visit your dermatologist regularly for exams
- Prioritize the use of sunscreen and other forms of sun protection
- Avoid tanning beds and sun lamp exposure
- If your parents, siblings, or children are diagnosed with melanoma, you are at a higher risk of developing the disease. If you have a family history of skin cancer, experts suggest you to:
- History of skin cancer
- If you have had skin cancer before, the chances are higher that you will experience skin cancer again, even if it is a different type. Statistics show the importance of regular follow-up visits with your doctor to carefully monitor recurrences.
- Weakened immune system
- When other diseases or treatments cause damage to your immune system, your risk of developing skin cancer increases. You may have a weakened immune system if you:
- Undergo chemotherapy
- Take certain medications, such as immunosuppressants or immune modifiers
- Have an autoimmune disease that causes a weakened immune system
- When other diseases or treatments cause damage to your immune system, your risk of developing skin cancer increases. You may have a weakened immune system if you:
- Advanced age
- Even though skin cancer is seen in children and young adults, it is most common in people older than 30 years.
QUESTION
Self-examination is important in the detection of skin cancer.
See Answer
How is skin cancer diagnosed?
To diagnose skin cancer, your doctor will examine your skin to determine whether your skin changes, moles, or lesions are likely to be cancer. Further testing may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.
You may need to undergo a skin biopsy, in which a sample of skin is removed for testing. If your doctor determines you have skin cancer, you may have additional tests to determine the extent (stage) of the skin cancer.
Because superficial skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma, rarely spread, a biopsy that removes the entire growth often is the only test needed to determine the cancer stage. However, if you have a large squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, or melanoma, your doctor may recommend further tests to determine the extent of the cancer.
Additional tests might include imaging tests to examine the nearby lymph nodes for signs of cancer or a procedure to remove a nearby lymph node and test it for signs of cancer (sentinel lymph node biopsy).
How is skin cancer treated?
Treatment options for skin cancer and precancerous skin lesions vary depending on the size, type, depth, and location of the lesions. Small skin cancers limited to the surface of the skin may not require treatment beyond an initial skin biopsy that removes the entire growth.
After considering these factors, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Cryosurgery. The growth is frozen using liquid nitrogen and destroyed as it thaws.
- Excisional surgery. The growth and some healthy skin surrounding it is cut out.
- Mohs surgery. The growth is removed layer by layer, and each layer is examined under a microscope until no irregular cells are visible.
- Curettage and electrodesiccation. A long spoon-shaped blade scrapes away the cancer cells, and the remaining cells are burned with an electric needle.
- Chemotherapy. Drugs can be administered orally, topically, or intravenously to kill cancer cells.
- Photodynamic therapy. Laser lights and drugs are used to destroy cancer cells.
- Radiation. High-powered energy beams are used to kill cancer cells.
- Biological therapy. This type of therapy stimulates the immune system to fight cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy. Medications are used to support the immune system to kill cancer cells.
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Can you prevent skin cancer?
You can lower your risk of skin cancer by taking preventative measures such as the following:
- Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps.
- Avoid direct sun exposure when the sun is strongest, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Apply and reapply sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher at least 30 minutes before going outdoors.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and tightly woven fabrics when you are outside during daylight hours.
- Wear sunglasses that offer 100% ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) protection.
- Regularly examine your skin and nail beds for changes, such as new growths or spots. Tell your doctor if you notice anything suspicious.
