Types of Skin Cancer

There are five basic types of skin cancer. It is important to watch for signs of these cancers and see a doctor as soon as possible to determine treatment.



Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma is one of the most common kinds of skin cancer. It looks like a small reddish bump and is commonly found on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. Basal Cell Carcinoma rarely metastasizes, but it can grow and cause harm to the surrounding bone and tissue. This cancer is slow growing, but should be treated as soon as it is noticed.


Melanoma

Melanoma is a very serious form of skin cancer and, while uncommon, it is the leading cause of all skin cancer deaths. The appearance of a black or brown pigmented spot on the skin should be looked at by a doctor. Melanomas are irregularly colored and asymmetrical in shape.


Kaposi's Sarcoma

A very rare form of skin cancer is Kaposi's Sarcoma. This is caused by the herpes virus and not by sun exposure.


Actinic Keratosis and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The last two types of skin cancer are related. Actinic Keratosis is a precursor to Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Actinic Keratosis starts as a small red spot that is commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body. As this precancerous tissue develops, it can thicken and become scaly in appearance. If left untreated, these spots develop into the most common form of skin cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Squamous Cell Carcinoma can spread and eventually cause death. If treated early, the recovery rate is high.


Most skin cancer is caused by sun exposure. It is important to minimize your exposure to the sun in order to prevent skin cancer from forming and consult a doctor if you suspect any cancer.