Skin cancer is the growth of cancer cells that start in the skin.
The 2 most common kinds of skin cancer are:
- Basal cell carcinoma—Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. This cancer usually grows slowly and rarely spreads to other tissues in the body. Basal cell carcinoma is rarely fatal, but it can cause damage to the nearby tissue. If there is risk of damage, the cancer may need treatment or removal.
- Squamous cell carcinoma—Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. The cancer develops in the uppermost layer of skin cells. Squamous cell carcinoma usually grows slowly. It is rarely fatal if treated early. However, the cancer can be lethal if it spreads beyond the skin.
It is important that skin cancers be found and treated early. If left untreated, they can quickly invade and destroy nearby tissue.
Cancer occurs when skin cells in the body divide without control or order. When cells keep dividing uncontrollably when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms. This is called a growth or tumor. Unlike benign tumors, malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
Basal and squamous cell cancers are more common in men and in people over 50 years old. These cancers are most likely to occur in people with:
- Fair skin that freckles easily
- Red or blonde hair
- Light-colored eyes
- Caucasian skin
Other factors that may increase the chance of skin cancer include:
- Personal history of skin cancer
- Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or artificial radiation from a tanning bed
- Excessive sun exposure without protective clothing or sunscreen
- Skin damage from burns or infections
- Exposure to arsenic, industrial tar, coal, paraffin, and certain types of oil
- Radiation therapy
- Light treatments for psoriasis , especially psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA)
- Suppressed immune system from illness or medications
- Certain genetic diseases, such as basal cell nevus syndrome or xeroderma pigmentosum
Most skin cancers do not cause symptoms. When they do appear, the most common first symptom is a change in the skin.
Basal cell carcinoma may appear as a:
- Slowly expanding, painless growth
- Bleeding scab or sore that heals and recurs
- Flat, firm, pale area
- Small, raised, pink, red, or pearly areas thay may bleed easily
- Large oozing, crusted area
Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a:
- Growing lump with rough, scaly, or crusted surfaces
- Slow-growing flat, reddish patch in the skin
- Recurrent, nonhealing ulceration or bleeding
Skin cancers can occur anywhere, but are more common on places that are exposed to the sun.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
You may have a biopsy. The sample can then be examined for under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells.
In cases where the growth is large, or has been present for a long time, the lymph nodes in the area will be checked. More tests may be advised to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The doctor will discuss a treatment plan, which may include one or more of the following:
Many skin cancers can be cut from the skin quickly and easily. In fact, the cancer is sometimes completely removed during biopsy and no further treatment is needed. Surgical techniques include:
This involves scooping the cancer out with a curette, an instrument with a sharp, spoon-shaped end. The area is treated with an electric current to control bleeding. This also kills any cancer cells remaining around the edge of the wound. This technique is used for small or superficial cancers.
Mohs surgery is the removal of all of the cancerous tissue. The surgeon will try to remove as little healthy tissue as possible. This method is used to remove:
- Large tumors
- Tumors in hard-to-treat places
- Tumors of undetermined shape and depth
- Cancers that have recurred
The procedure is done by specially trained dermatologic Mohs surgeons. The cancer is shaved off one thin layer at a time. Each layer is checked under a microscope for cancer cells until the entire tumor is removed.
Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and kill the abnormal cells. After the area thaws, the dead tissue falls off. More than one freezing may be needed to remove the growth completely. This method may be used to treat precancerous skin conditions (actinic keratoses) and certain small or superficial skin cancers.
Laser therapy uses a narrow beam of light to remove or destroy cancer cells. This method is sometimes used for cancers in the outer layer of skin.
Radiation therapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Topical chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs can be creams or lotions. This method is successful in treating precancerous conditions and cancers limited to the outer layer of the skin. The most common topical chemotherapy used is a form of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).
Medications, such as imiquimod, increase your body's own response to fight the cancer cells.
To help reduce the chance of skin cancer:
- Avoid spending too much time in the sun.
- Avoid exposing your skin to the sun between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM standard time, or 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM daylight saving time.
- Protect your skin from the sun with clothing. Wear a shirt, sunglasses, and a hat with a broad brim.
- Use broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more on skin that will be exposed to the sun.
- Use a protective lip balm.
- Wear sunglasses with 99% or 100% UV absorption to protect your eyes.
- Do not use sun lamps or tanning booths.
Finding skin cancer early offers the best chance for a cure. In general:
- Report any skin changes or symptoms (listed above) when they appear, so they can be examined by a doctor.
- If you have fair skin, have your skin regularly checked by a doctor.
- Ask the doctor about regular skin screenings you can do at home.
- Reviewer: James Cornell, MD
- Review Date: 03/2016 -
- Update Date: 10/20/2014 -