Types of Skin Cancer
Some of the most common are described below:
- Basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcer/BCC) – These are often painless flat or slightly raised or nodular lesions that scab, bleeds occasionally and do not heal completely. They are slow growing, and generally do not spread like other cancers. If left for years, they may erode deeper and through the skin, eventually causing an ulcer – hence the name “rodent ulcer”
- Squamous cell carcinoma – A squamous cell carcinoma usually appears as a scaly or crusty raised area of skin, with a red, inflamed base. It may look like an irritated wart, or develop to form a bleeding ulcer. Most small squamous cell carcinomas are not painful, but pain in a growing lump is a suspicious symptom for squamous cell carcinoma. They should be treated without delay
- Melanoma – Melanomas are rarer, but are the most serious type of skin cancer. Melanoma usually is an irregular brown or black spot, which may develop within a pre-existing mole or appear on normal skin that never had a mole in that place before. Any change in a mole, or any new mole in adulthood, should be attended to by a specialist without delay.
- Actinic keratoses (also known as solar keratoses) – Skin cancers may be preceded by a pre-cancerous condition known as actinic keratoses, caused by sun damage. These are usually pink or red spots, with a rough surface, which appear on skin that is exposed to the sun. The face, bald scalp, neck, backs of the hands and forearms are most often affected. Actinic keratoses may be easier to feel, as they are rough, than they are to see. A small number of them are precancerous, but early treatment may prevent them from developing into skin cancer.
Please click HERE for more information on the ENTUK website
