Types of skin cancer (2024)

FAQs

Types of skin cancer? ›

But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Basal cell carcinoma

BCC is the most common type of skin cancer. Around 75 out of every 100 non melanoma skin cancers (around 75%) are BCCs. They develop from basal cells and these are found in the deepest part of the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis).

One easy way to remember common characteristics of melanoma is to think alphabetically – the ABCDEs of melanoma. ABCDE stands for asymmetry, border, color, diameter and evolving. These are the characteristics of skin damage that doctors look for when diagnosing and classifying melanomas.

Melanoma is often called "the most serious skin cancer" because it has a tendency to spread.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive skin cancer. It appears as a painless, flesh-colored or bluish-red nodule growing on your skin. Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of skin cancer that usually appears as a flesh-colored or bluish-red nodule, often on your face, head or neck.

Basal cell carcinoma

Most common form of skin cancer but the least dangerous.

Both basal and squamous cell skin cancers are relatively slow-growing, but the most important difference between squamous cell skin cancer versus basal cell skin cancer is that squamous cell skin cancer is more likely to spread to other organs. If it spreads, it can be life-threatening.

The vast majority of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma. Nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma every day.

5-fluorouracil (5-FU): The drug most often used in topical treatment of actinic keratoses, as well as some basal and squamous cell skin cancers, is 5-FU (with brand names such as Efudex, Carac, and Fluoroplex). It is typically applied to the skin once or twice a day for several weeks.

What is the life expectancy of a person with squamous cell carcinoma? ›

Squamous cell carcinoma is most curable in the early stages before it spreads. If it's diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate is approximately 99%. To protect yourself, get a professional skin cancer examination at least once a year and perform monthly self-examinations of your skin.

They can appear as flat, pale or pink areas, like this one. Larger basal cell carcinomas may have oozing or crusted areas.

What does stage 1 skin cancer look like? Stage 1 skin cancer can vary in appearance depending on the type of skin cancer. Generally, it appears as a small growth or sore with a pearly or waxy appearance. It may also look like a red, scaly patch or a pink or flesh-colored bump.

Survival for most non-melanoma skin cancers is excellent. The 5-year relative survival for BCC is 100%. This means that, on average, all of the people diagnosed with BCC are just as likely to live at least 5 years after their diagnosis as people in the general population.

Though not as common as basal cell (about one million new cases a year), squamous cell is more serious because it is likely to spread (metastasize). Treated early, the cure rate is over 90%, but metastases occur in 1%–5% of cases. After it has metastasized, it's very difficult to treat.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC, also called basal cell skin cancer, or just basal cell cancer) is most common type of skin cancer. About 8 out of 10 skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas.