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Skin cancer

At GenesisCare, we are changing the face of skin cancer treatment.

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What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer happens when skin cells change into abnormal cells and grow at an uncontrolled rate.1

In general, there are two main types of skin cancer: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC or keratinocyte cancer)1 and the number of cases for both is predicted to increase worldwide.2

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer in the cells that produce pigment – called melanocytes.3

Melanoma is linked to sun exposure.3 But it can also affect areas of the body that aren’t often exposed to sun. In very rare cases, it affects the skin lining the nose, mouth and genitals.3,4

When melanoma cancer cells grow, a mark may appear on the skin. It may appear to be brown or black in colour.4

Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, bone, lung, liver and brain.5 When cancer spreads it is known as ‘metastatic’ or secondary cancer.1

What are non-melanoma skin cancers?

Non-melanoma skin cancers develop among cells in the upper layers of the skin.3 The two most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).1,3

Non-melanoma skin cancer can occur anywhere on the skin, though it’s most commonly found on parts of the body that have experienced long-term sun exposure – like the head, face, neck, arms, legs and back of the hands.1,3

At GenesisCare, we offer the opportunity to treat skin cancer using non-invasive modern radiation therapy techniques. Learn more about radiation therapy options for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) at GenesisCare.

What are basal cell carcinomas?

Basal cell carcinomas (BCC) grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body.1,6 If left untreated they can grow into the deeper layers of the skin and cause damage in the area surrounding them.6

What are squamous cell carcinomas?

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) can grow quickly and can be found in the top layer of the skin.1 They can also  grow into the deeper layers of the skin and if left untreated can spread to other areas of the body.1

Types of skin cancer

  1. Melanoma

    Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops from cells called melanocytes.4 Melanocytes make melanin, which gives skin its colour. Melanin is the skin’s way to try and protect us from ultraviolet (UV) radiation which causes sunburn.1

  2. Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) or keratinocyte cancer

    These terms encompass a range of other types of skin cancer such as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.1 NMSC or keratinocyte cancers are more common than melanoma.1

Ways we can treat skin cancer

At GenesisCare we offer a personalised care experience close to home. Modern radiation therapy technology may be an effective treatment option for patients with non-melanoma skin cancer; from individual lesions to extensive skin field cancerisation.

Our vast network of multidisciplinary clinicians seek to design and deliver treatment that is best suited to you.

Find out more about how radiation therapy can be used in the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer.

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References

  1. Cancer Council. Understanding Skin Cancer A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends First published March 2012. Edition: December 2021.
  2. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Cancer tomorrow. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/ (accessed March 2023).
  3. Cancer council. Melanoma and other skin cancers: A guide for medical practitioners. Developed October 2021.
  4. Therapeutic Guidelines. Melanoma. August 2022. Available from: https://www.tg.org.au (accessed March 2023).
  5. Sundararajan S, Thida AM, Yadlapati S, et al. Metastatic Melanoma. [Updated 2022 Dec 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470358/ (accessed March 2023)
  6. Therapeutic Guidelines. Basal cell carcinoma. August 2022. Available from: https://www.tg.org.au (accessed March 2023).

Disclaimer

Any medical procedure or treatment involving the use of radiation carries risks, including skin irritation and associated pain. Before proceeding with treatment, you should discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.