Overview:
Skin cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the skin. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Melanoma is much less common than the other types but much more likely to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. Signs of skin cancer vary by type but can include, sores that do not heal; areas of the skin that are: raised, smooth, shiny, and pearly; firm and look like a scar; raised and red or reddish-brown, and scaly, bleeding, or crusty. Signs for actinic keratosis can include a rough, red, pink, or brown, scaly patch on the skin that may be flat or raised; and cracking or peeling of the lower lip that is not helped by lip balm or petroleum jelly.
Who treats skin cancer?
Surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and dermatologists
Treatment options:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Photodynamic therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Chemical peels
To learn more about skin cancer, click here.
Source: National Cancer Institute
