Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a common form of cancer that affects millions of individuals every year. Because it occurs on the outside of the body, it is a form of cancer that can be seen. Therefore, many people are concerned about cancers of the skin and want more information about how to tell cancer apart from other lesions of the skin which are not malignant.

While the diagnosis of cancer cannot always be made simply on the appearance or texture of the skin alone, there are some details which can help identify a worrisome lesion of the skin. If in doubt, have it checked out by a physician.

Not all cancers of the skin are the same. There are several types and each is different in its appearance and the natural history of how it grows and affects the body and its ultimate prognosis. While some are slow growing and relatively cureable, some are very malignant, fast growing and potentially fatal.

Read on below for more details about cancers of the skin, the various types, how they present, how they are diagnosed and how they are treated.

Skin Cancer Topics:

What Is It? Cancer of the skin is common, affecting millions of people annually. Learn more about it here.

What Causes It? Learn more about what causes cancers of the skin and the risk factors which increase your chances of developing cancer at some point in your life.

Types of Cancer: There are more than one form of cancer which can affect the skin. Learn more about these diffrent types of skin cancer.

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma: One of the common types of cancer of the skin. Along with basal cell, these are the most common forms of cancer that affect the skin.
• Basal Cell Carcinoma: Another common form of cancer, basal cell is usually slow growing.
• Malignant Melanoma: The most malignant and aggressive form of cancer of the skin, melanoma is more rare than the other types but more dangerous.

What Are The Symptoms? If you have cancer of the skin, what are the likely symptoms? How does it present? What does it look like

Skin Cancer Biopsy: What tests, studies or procedures are used to make the diagnosis and confirm the presence of cancer in the skin? A biopsy is the most common procedure and test used to make a cancer diagnosis.

Treatment: Once a diagnosis of cancer is made, what are the types of treatments that are used to manage cancers of the skin?