Skin Cancer: Varieties, Symptoms, and Further Details
Skin cancer is a common type of cancer in the United States, with one in five people developing it before the age of 70 years. This article provides an overview of the most common types of skin cancer, their signs, causes, and prevention methods.
The two main types of skin cancer are non-melanoma and melanoma. Non-melanoma cancers usually form in the basal and squamous cells, while melanoma cancers only occur in melanocytes.
Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of non-melanoma skin cancer, accounts for about 80% of all non-melanoma skin cancers. It can present as an open sore that remains open for weeks, a sore that oozes, weeps, crusts over, or bleeds, a shiny, pearly bump, or a sore with a sunken center.
Squamous cell carcinoma, another type of non-melanoma skin cancer, can look like a persistent open sore, a scaly, crusted patch that may bleed and will not resolve, or a crusty, wart-like growth.
Melanoma skin cancers are less common but are more dangerous because they can easily spread to other parts of the body. The most common sign of melanoma is a change in the skin, such as a new growth, an open sore that does not heal, or a change in an existing mole. The ABCDE rule can help identify a potential melanoma: asymmetrical, irregular border, uneven color, larger than a pea, and evolving over time.
Nodular melanoma, the most aggressive form of melanoma, grows vertically down into the skin and usually is invasive at the point of diagnosis. It can look like a raised, round lump, a bump that is painful and may bleed, a mushroom-like growth with a smooth or rough surface, or a lump that is more than 6 millimeters (mm) across.
Lentigo maligna melanoma usually appears on sun-damaged areas of skin, such as the face, ears, arms, and torso. Acral lentiginous melanoma, the most common form of melanoma in people with darker skin tones, usually appears on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, and other hard-to-detect areas.
Common causes of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers are excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, including from the sun and tanning beds, which damages DNA in skin cells causing mutations. Risk factors for melanoma specifically include fair skin, a history of blistering sunburns (especially in childhood), many or atypical moles, genetic predisposition, weakened immune system, age over 50, and certain medical conditions.
Prevention methods effective for both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers focus on minimizing UV exposure: using broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, wearing sun-protective clothing (long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, UV-blocking sunglasses), avoiding tanning beds, seeking shade especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and performing regular skin self-examinations. Early detection through professional skin exams, recommended annually or more frequently for high-risk individuals, greatly improves treatment success and outcomes.
Children should be particularly protected to avoid sunburns, which increase melanoma risk later in life. People assigned male at birth, older individuals, those with a weak immune system, and those with lots of moles are more likely to develop certain types of skin cancer. Certain inherited genes, such as tumor-suppressing genes like TP53 and PTCH1/PTCH2, can make an individual more susceptible to cancer.
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer, accounting for about 3,000 new cases every year in the U.S. It can appear as a firm, shiny, painless lump, a round, raised lesion, or a fast-growing bump.
In summary, the hallmark signs to watch for include new or evolving pigmented lesions for melanoma and non-healing sores or growths for non-melanoma cancers. UV exposure remains the primary cause for both types, and rigorous sun protection, avoidance of tanning beds, and regular skin monitoring are key prevention strategies. Early detection and regular skin exams can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
- The two main types of skin cancer are non-melanoma and melanoma, with melanoma being more dangerous as it can easily metastatic to other parts of the body.
- Common causes of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers include excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and fair skin, a history of blistering sunburns, many or atypical moles, genetic predisposition, weakened immune system, and certain medical conditions.
- Prevention methods for skin cancer focus on minimizing UV exposure, such as using broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing sun-protective clothing, avoiding tanning beds, seeking shade, and performing regular skin self-examinations.
- Children should be particularly protected from sunburns to reduce the risk of developing melanoma later in life, and individuals assigned male at birth, older individuals, those with a weak immune system, and those with lots of moles are more likely to develop certain types of skin cancer.
