What is nonmelanoma skin cancer?
Nonmelanoma skin cancers comprise most skin cancer cases. When caught early, they are usually curable. The most common types of nonmelanoma skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Skin cancer tumors form in the skin, the body’s largest organ. The skin contains three layers:
- Epidermis: The outermost layer contains squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes.
- Dermis: The middle layer contains numerous structures, such as blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
- Subcutaneous (fat): This is the deepest layer of skin.
How does nonmelanoma skin cancer develop?
Cancer starts when cells become abnormal (mutate) and grow out of control. Nonmelanoma skin cancer forms in the basal or squamous cells of the skin’s outer layer.
Nonmelanoma skin cancer typically appears as unusual spots or sores on areas of the skin exposed to the sun. However, nonmelanoma can also develop in unexposed areas, including the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, fingernails, or toenails.
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Other than an unusual-looking spot on your skin, you may or may not experience symptoms with nonmelanoma skin cancer. Symptoms may include:
- Bleeding at the spot or sore
- A scab or crust that doesn’t heal after bleeding
- A mole that is growing faster than others
Some skin cancers grow faster than others and may spread into nearby tissues or other parts of the body (metastasize). It’s important to see a doctor if you see any unusual spot on your skin, even if you have no other symptoms.
Risk factors increase your chance of developing skin cancer and other conditions. Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will develop cancer, and some people with no risk factors develop the disease.
Nonmelanoma skin cancer risk factors include:
- Excessive exposure to the sun, including a history of sunburns and living in a sunny climate
- Fair skin and light-colored eyes and hair
- Family history of skin cancer
- Personal history of skin cancer or precancerous lesions (areas of abnormal cells)
- Radiation exposure
- Weakened immune system
The most common forms of nonmelanoma skin cancer are:
- Basal cell carcinoma: This type comprises the majority of skin cancer cases. It starts in the top layer of skin (basal cell layer), grows very slowly, and rarely spreads.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This is the second most common type of skin cancer. It occurs most often in fair-skinned and elderly people.
Melanoma is a different type of skin cancer. It starts in the melanocytes, the cells that give skin its color. Melanoma is much less common than basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
Your doctor will examine you and review your test results to determine if you have early-stage cancer or if your cancer is considered advanced.
The best way to prevent skin cancer is to limit your exposure to the sun, specifically:
- Use sunscreen. Make sure to follow instructions about how much to apply and how often to re-apply it.
- Wear a hat.
- Wear clothes that cover your skin, including your arms and legs. Light-colored clothes can keep you cooler.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
If you have had skin cancer, you have a greater chance of getting it again. Therefore, it’s important to reduce your sun exposure and see your dermatologist annually for a skin exam.
We begin your care by establishing or confirming your diagnosis. Your doctor reviews your prior health records and completes a physical exam, including a thorough examination of your skin. Your doctor may recommend specific tests, including:
During this procedure, your doctor (usually a dermatologist) removes a tissue sample from your skin for evaluation.
We perform imaging tests of your skin if your doctor suspects your cancer has spread. A radiologist interprets the images to identify cancer cells.
Also called blood tests or draws, we remove a small blood sample to analyze. We conduct blood tests only if your doctor thinks your cancer has spread.
