Skin cancer

What is skin cancer?

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

There are two main types of skin cancer: melanoma and non-malignant melanoma skin cancer and the number of cases for both is increasing worldwide.

What is melanoma?

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

• Melanoma is linked to sun exposure. 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
• When melanoma cancer cells grow, a mark appears on the skin. It’s often brown or black in colour
• Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, bone, lung, liver and brain. When cancer spreads it is known as ‘metastatic’ or secondary cancer

What are non-malignant melanoma skin cancers?

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

What are basal cell carcinomas?

Basal cell carcinomas usually stay in one place. However, they can sometimes spread to other nearby areas.
Basal cell carcinomas rarely spread to lymph nodes or other sites in the body.

What are squamous cell carcinomas?

Squamous cell carcinomas usually stay in one place. However, they can sometimes spread to other nearby areas.
Some high-risk squamous cell carcinomas have the potential to spread to lymph nodes or distant sites in the body.