What are the most common areas for skin cancer?

Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. But it can also form on areas that rarely see the light of day — your palms, beneath your fingernails or toenails, and your genital area.

What are the 4 types of skin cancer?

There are 4 main types of skin cancer:

Basal cell carcinoma. Basal cells are the round cells found in the lower epidermis.
Squamous cell carcinoma. Most of the epidermis is made up of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells.
Merkel cell cancer.
Melanoma.

What are the 5 types of skin cancer?

Skin cancer types

Basal cell carcinoma. Of the more than 3 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed every year, more than 80 percent are basal cell carcinoma, according to the American Cancer Society.
Recurrent basal cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma.
Melanoma.
Merkel cell carcinoma.
Rare skin cancers.

Where does skin cancer usually start?

Where do skin cancers start? Most skin cancers start in the top layer of skin, called the epidermis. There are 3 main types of cells in this layer: Squamous cells: These are flat cells in the upper (outer) part of the epidermis, which are constantly shed as new ones form.

What part of the body is most common for melanoma?

Melanomas can develop anywhere on your body. They most often develop in areas that have had exposure to the sun, such as your back, legs, arms and face. Melanomas can also occur in areas that don’t receive much sun exposure, such as the soles of your feet, palms of your hands and fingernail beds.

What is the most aggressive form of skin cancer?

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in cells known as melanocytes. While it is less common than basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage.

What happens if I don’t treat basal cell carcinoma?

It rarely spreads to other parts of the body. This type of skin cancer needs to be treated and has a high cure rate. If left untreated, basal cell carcinomas can become quite large, cause disfigurement, and in rare cases, spread to other parts of the body and cause death.

What are the 8 types of skin cancer treatment?

Eight types of standard treatment are used:

Surgery.
Radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy.
Photodynamic therapy.
Immunotherapy.
Targeted therapy.
Chemical peel.
Other drug therapy.

How would I know if I had skin cancer?

Redness or new swelling beyond the border of a mole. Color that spreads from the border of a spot into surrounding skin. Itching, pain, or tenderness in an area that doesn’t go away or goes away then comes back. Changes in the surface of a mole: oozing, scaliness, bleeding, or the appearance of a lump or bump.

How long does melanoma take to spread?

Melanoma can grow very quickly. It can become life-threatening in as little as 6 weeks and, if untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma can appear on skin not normally exposed to the sun. Nodular melanoma is a highly dangerous form of melanoma that looks different from common melanomas.

Does melanoma appear suddenly?

Melanoma may suddenly appear without warning, but can also develop from or near an existing mole. It can occur anywhere on the body, but is most common on the upper back, torso, lower legs, head, and neck.

Where is skin cancer most common on the body?

Most basal cell carcinomas are a result of long-time, repeated sun-exposure or occasional intense sun-exposure. That’s why the cancer is most common on areas of the skin regularly exposed to the sun, including the face, neck, scalp, shoulders, back and ears. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer.

Which is the most common non melanoma skin cancer?

The most common non-melanoma tumours are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma of the skin is the 19th most commonly occurring cancer in men and women. There were nearly 300,000 new cases in 2018. The top 20 countries with the highest rates of melanoma of the skin in 2018 are given in the tables below.

What kind of cells are involved in skin cancer?

Cells involved in skin cancer. Squamous cells lie just below the outer surface and function as the skin’s inner lining. Basal cells, which produce new skin cells, sit beneath the squamous cells. Melanocytes — which produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its normal color — are located in the lower part of your epidermis.

What kind of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that most often develops on areas of skin exposed to the sun. This photograph shows a basal cell carcinoma that affects the skin on the lower eyelid.