Different Types of Skin Cancer

The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. These cancers are often referred to as "nonmelanoma skin cancer" -- this is to distinguish them from melanoma, a third type of skin cancer that is very different. Compared to the other two types, melanoma is less common, more deadly, and more likely to spread throughout a person's body.

In the United States, about 90 percent of all skin cancer falls under the category of basal cell cancer. This type of skin cancer tends to grow slowly. It can occur anywhere, but is most often found on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms.