An Overview of Skin Cancer Types
Skin cancers are named for the type of cells that become cancerous. The two most common skin cancer types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer.
These types of skin cancer are often referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer to differentiate them from a third type called
melanoma. Melanoma is less common, more deadly, and more likely to spread throughout the body.
Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Ninety percent of all skin cancers in the United States are
basal cell carcinoma. This skin cancer type grows slowly and rarely spreads to other areas. Although basal cell carcinoma can occur anywhere, it is typically found on the:
- Head
- Face
- Neck
- Hands
- Arms.
Squamous cell skin cancer also occurs on parts of the skin that have been in the sun, though it may be in places that are not in the sun. This type of skin cancer sometimes spreads to lymph nodes and organs inside the body.
Squamous cell carcinoma rarely spreads, but is more likely to do so than basal cell carcinoma. Despite a fatality rate of less than 1 percent, these cancers should be treated promptly, because they can invade and destroy nearby tissue.
It is estimated that nonmelanoma skin cancer is on the rise and that 1 million cases will occur each year. Exact numbers of these cases are not readily available because most are treated in doctors' offices and may not be reported to cancer registries.
Researchers estimate that 40 to 50 percent of people in the United States who live to age 65 will have nonmelanoma skin cancer at least once. The risk is highest for fair-skinned people with red or blond hair and light-colored eyes.
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