Skin Cancer

Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are the most common types of skin cancer. Both start in the top layer of your skin (the epidermis).

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Dermatologist performing a skin cancer exam

Basal cell carcinoma accounts 80% of skin cancer diagnoses

Each year approximately 3.3 million Americans are diagnosed

Accounts for 8 out of 10 cancers of the skin

Types of Skin Cancer

The type of skin cancer a person may get is determined by where the cancer begins. If the cancer begins in skin cells called basal cells, the person has basal cell skin cancer. When cells that give our skin its color become cancerous, melanoma develops.

Basal cell carcinoma

This is the most common type of all skin cancers and occurs in 1 of 5 Americans. Over 1,000,000 Americans will be diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma this year and we treat over 1500 per year.

It typically grows slowly and usually develops on areas of the body frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, and head. Basal cell carcinoma usually appears as a shiny bump or nodule, pink growth, or flat lesion that’s brown or flesh-toned.

Early diagnosis and treatment for are important. Basal cell carcinoma can grow deep, left untreated can penetrate the nerves and bones, causing damage and disfigurement.

The forms of treatment for this type of skin cancer include:

radiation therapy
Mohs surgery
surgical excision
electrodessication and curettage
topical chemotherapy

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma also grows slowly, but it can grow deep into the skin. It frequently develops on sun-exposed skin, including the face, ears, lips, and hands, and can appear as a scaly patch, a red bump that’s firm to the touch, or an open sore.

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent from growing deep and spreading to other areas of the body.

radiation therapy
Mohs surgery
electrodessication and curettage
topical chemotherapy

Actinic Keratoses

Actinic keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, is a skin disorder that causes rough, scaly patches of skin. Actinic keratosis forms on skin damaged by chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or indoor tanning beds. Approximately 58 million Americans have one or more spots of actinic keratosis.

Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin growth that can turn into a common type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.

Because an AK can turn into a type of skin cancer, treatment is important.

Melanoma

Melanoma spreads quickly and is the most serious form of skin cancer. It can develop within a mole that you already have on your skin, or it can appear suddenly as a dark spot or lesion that looks different from the rest of the marks on your skin. Melanoma can also appear as a black, blue, white, or red/pink lesion or mole with a jagged or irregular border.

Melanoma can be found anywhere on the body (scalp, groin, buttocks, bottoms of the feet, and between the toes).

Knowing the ABCDE warning signs of melanoma can help you find an early melanoma.

The treatment for this type of skin cancer is multi-faceted and determined by pathology.

Basal cell carcinoma appearing as a pearly, flesh-colored bump

Squamous cell carcinoma appearing as a red, scaly patch

Actinic keratosis: a rough, scaly red patch on sun-damaged skin

Melanoma lesion with irregular border and uneven color

Risk Factors

Men are more likely than women to get basal or squamous cell skin cancer. Your risk also rises as you age.

Other risk factors include:

Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure from sunlight or indoor tanning beds
Light-colored skin
Previous skin cancer
Long-term or severe skin injury, such as scarring, burns, or damage caused by an inflammatory skin disease
Exposure to chemicals like arsenic, coal tar, paraffin, and certain types of petroleum products
Radiation exposure, such as radiation treatment for cancer patients
Weakened immune system

How Are Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Diagnosed?

Your dermatologist will carefully examine your skin from head to toe, including your scalp and the soles of your feet. Along with the visual exam, we may use a technique called dermoscopy to see the spots on your skin more clearly.

If we find a suspicious area that could be cancerous, our next step is a basal and squamous cell biopsy. This involves taking a sample from the area (or removing the growth entirely) and reviewing it under a microscope to check for the presence of cancer cells.

Is Early Detection Possible?

Knowing your own skin is key to finding skin cancer early. Learn the patterns of your moles, freckles, and other blemishes so you’ll notice any changes. The warning signs for basal and squamous cell carcinoma include any new growths or changes in size, color, or shape over time.

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