Types of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with 20% of Americans being affected at some point in their lives. Early detection is crucial for improving skin cancer outcomes: when caught early, most skin cancers can be treated with a 95-99+% cure rate. Be on the lookout for any new or changing skin spots, or any spots that look suspicious or will not heal.
Types of Skin Cancer
While there are many different types of skin cancers, there are three that are seen most commonly.
1) Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, in fact, it is the most common cancer in humans, and can present on the skin in many different ways. It may appear as red rash that doesn’t resolve or it may look like a new dome-shaped mole, especially on the face. It could also appear as a pink patch of skin, a black/brown growth, or a white and yellow growth that looks like a scar. It may also appear to be a sore that heals and reoccurs cyclically.
BCC is most commonly seen in sun-exposed areas like the face, nose, neck, hands, trunk, and scalp. It rarely metastasizes to other parts of the body, but can grow deep into local tissue and bone if not treated promptly.
2) Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
SCC is the second most common type of skin cancer, and can also present in many different ways. It may be a crusted, rough bump, a red flat patch of skin, a bump that grows and bleeds, or a sore that does not heal.
SCC also develops most commonly in sun-exposed areas, including the face, hands, arms, legs, ears, and lips. In most instances, there is a direct linear relationship between total accumulated sun exposure and the development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. However, it can also (rarely) develop on skin that is not exposed to sunlight, including inside the mouth, under the nails, or on the genitals. In people with darker skin tones, SCC is more common in areas that do not get sun exposure.
Smoking or chewing tobacco may increase the risk of developing SCC in the mouth, throat, or around the nails. HPV (human papilloma virus, the wart virus) can also increase the risk of developing SCC in these areas, and on the genitals.
If left untreated, SCC can not only invade local tissue and bone, but also spread to internal organs and other parts of the body.
3) Melanoma
Melanoma is often the most concerning of the three common skin cancers. It may develop from a normal patch of skin or from a pre-existing mole. New or changing moles could be a sign of melanoma.
Melanoma is most common on areas that are intermittently exposed to sun rather than chronically exposed to the sun, such as the back of the legs for women and the back/trunk for men. It can also be found (rarely) under or around the fingernails and toenails. Nail melanoma can look like a brown or black streak in the nail. This type of melanoma is more common in people with darker skin tones or older individuals. In people with darker skin tones, melanoma usually appears on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, under a nail, in the mouth, or on the genitals.
Watch out for the ABCDEs and the ugly duckling sign, which are indicators that a spot/mole may actually be melanoma:
A stands for asymmetry. Normal moles are often symmetrical. If your moles are asymmetrical, it may be a sign of melanoma.
B stands for border. If the mole has an irregular, wavy, or poorly defined border, it may be a sign of melanoma.
C stands for color. If the mole has varying colors within it (tan, brown, black, white, red, or blue), or if the color changes, it may be a sign of melanoma.
D stands for diameter. If a mole is very large or is growing in size, it may be a sign of melanoma.
E stands for evolving. If a mole is changing in size, shape, or color over time, it may be a sign of melanoma. It is best to detect and treat melanoma before it actually develops significant asymmetry, irregular borders, or color variation. E, or the evolution of the lesion, and the ugly duckling sign are the best tools to detect melanoma early.
Watch out for the ugly duckling! For most people, their moles look relatively the same. If you see a mole that looks different from the rest of the moles on your body, it may be a sign of melanoma.
Who Gets Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age or skin color. Some people have higher risk of developing skin cancer than others, including those with one or more of the following:
Light colored skin
Skin that burns or freckles rather than tans
Blond or red hair
Blue or green eyes
More than 50 moles
Irregularly-shaped or darker moles
Individuals who have a history of sun burns
Individuals who use or have used indoor tanning beds or sunlamps
Individuals who have had skin cancer in the past
Individuals whose family members have had skin cancer
Individuals with a weakened immune system
Individuals who have received an organ transplant
Individuals who have been exposed to carcinogens such as arsenic or tar
Individuals who have skin that has been badly burned, either in an accident or by the sun
When it comes to your skin health, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you have any spots, moles, or lesions that look concerning or that have been changing over time, it is best to seek a professional diagnosis with a board-certified dermatologist. They can help you to determine what type of lesion you’re dealing with and arrange any treatments that may be necessary.
Sources/References
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/types
American Academy of Dermatology Skin Cancer Patient Handout
