Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBasal CellSquamous CellMelanomaMerkel CellRarer CancersPre-Cancers
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Basal Cell
Squamous Cell
Melanoma
Merkel Cell
Rarer Cancers
Pre-Cancers
Skin cancers can generally be grouped into four categories:basal cell carcinoma,squamous cell carcinoma,melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, but also the least aggressive. While melanoma is rarer, it is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths.
This article discusses the types of skin cancer from least to most common. It also covers the signs and symptoms of each type along with how they may be treated.
2:02Click Play to Understand What Skin Cancer Looks Like
2:02
Click Play to Understand What Skin Cancer Looks Like
Callista Images / Getty Images.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma(BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer and the most common of all cancers in the United States with about 4 million diagnoses each year.
Signs of Basal Cell Carcinoma
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Basal cell carcinoma most commonly looks like a small open sore. It could be red or pink in fair-skinned people and brown in people of color. It may present as a red patch or bump on the skin. BCC often has a raised or rolled border around the sore and may bleed or crust over. It can present differently in each individual.
What Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Look Like?
BCC is usually found on areas of the body exposed to the sun like the face, ears, neck, scalp, and shoulders.If you have experienced an open sore that doesn’t heal or a red patch of skin that won’t go away, it’s best to get it checked out. BCC can also look like a shiny, pearl-like growth or a waxy scar with undefined borders. The area may itch, be painful, or have no symptoms at all.
Who Is at Risk?
The major cause of BCC is exposure to UV rays from the sun and tanning beds. You may be at higher risk of being diagnosed with BCC if you:
Treatment
Basal cell carcinoma is sometimes considered the least dangerous type of skin cancer. It is slow growing and very treatable, especially when caught early. Treatments for basal cell carcinoma are also very effective and usually leave minimal scarring, if any.
In most cases, basal cell carcinoma lesions can be entirely removed via surgery, radiation, and/or medications. Most are outpatient procedures and require only local numbing.
Surgical options include:
Radiation may be effective at destroying the tumor without the need for cutting or medication. Topical chemotherapy creams can be applied directly to the growth and have cure rates of 80% to 90% when used early.Advanced BCC may require oral chemotherapy drugs, as well as surgery and radiation.
What Is the Most Harmless Skin Cancer?Basal cell carcinoma is considered the most harmless skin cancer. However, no skin cancer is completely risk-free. Like all types of skin cancer, the longer a BCC lesion grows, the more difficult it is to treat. Left untreated, BCC can grow into other tissues and cause damage to the skin, muscles, and bones. More advanced BCC lesions also have a higher chance of growing back after being treated.
What Is the Most Harmless Skin Cancer?
Basal cell carcinoma is considered the most harmless skin cancer. However, no skin cancer is completely risk-free. Like all types of skin cancer, the longer a BCC lesion grows, the more difficult it is to treat. Left untreated, BCC can grow into other tissues and cause damage to the skin, muscles, and bones. More advanced BCC lesions also have a higher chance of growing back after being treated.
How to Prevent Skin Cancer
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
More Likely to SpreadLike basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas are curable and can usually be removed completely when caught in time. They are, however, more dangerous than BCC because of their higher likelihood to spread. SCC is more likely to grow into the deeper layers of skin and other tissues in the body than BCC. While basal cell carcinoma usually does not grow into other areas of the body, it can rarely grow into a large tumor on the skin.
More Likely to Spread
Like basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas are curable and can usually be removed completely when caught in time. They are, however, more dangerous than BCC because of their higher likelihood to spread. SCC is more likely to grow into the deeper layers of skin and other tissues in the body than BCC. While basal cell carcinoma usually does not grow into other areas of the body, it can rarely grow into a large tumor on the skin.
Signs of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
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The skin around an SCC growth may show signs of sun damage like wrinkling and darker pigment. They can bleed or itch as well.
Your risk for SCC is higher if you:
When caught early, squamous cell carcinoma is curable. The early treatment options for SCC are similar to those for BCC, and include surgery, radiation, and topical treatments. Small growths that are caught early can usually be removed via surgery and won’t require additional treatments.
If left untreated, SCC can metastasize and grow into other areas of the body. The longer it grows undetected, the harder it is to treat, especially if it reaches the lymph nodes. Each year about 15,000 people die from SCC. Fortunately, about 95% of squamous cell carcinomas are caught in the early stage and are curable.To catch SCC as early as possible, perform regular skin checks and see your healthcare provider if you have a sore that won’t heal.
Keratinocyte Cancers
What Is the Most Fatal Type of Skin Cancer?Melanoma is the most fatal type of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 100,640 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma, and 8,290 will die of it in 2024 alone.
What Is the Most Fatal Type of Skin Cancer?
Melanoma is the most fatal type of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 100,640 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma, and 8,290 will die of it in 2024 alone.
There are four types of melanoma:
Signs of Melanoma
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Melanoma growths usually look like moles that are brown or black. They can sometimes grow out of a previously benign mole. It is estimated that about 20% to 30% of melanomas grow out of existing moles and 70% to 80% occur on normal-looking skin.
Melanoma growths are related to sun exposure, but can also grow in areas that don’t receive much sunlight. The most common site for women is the legs and the trunk of the body for men.
What Are the ABCDEs of Melanoma?
Your risk for melanoma is higher if you:
Melanoma can run in families. It’s estimated that about one in 10 patients with melanoma has a family member who has already been diagnosed with the condition.
If you have both a family history and a large number of moles, then you are at higher risk and have what dermatologists call familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM).
While melanoma is more serious than other types of skin cancer because it has a greater tendency to spread, it is still treatable and curable when caught early. When it spreads into other tissues and areas of the body, it becomes more challenging to treat.
Treatment options for melanoma include:
Early-stage melanomas that have not spread beyond the first layer of skin can usually be surgically removed, much like basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.
The five-year survival rate for Americans whose melanoma is caught early is 99%. The survival rate falls to 65% if the melanoma has already spread to the lymph nodes and 25% if it has reached other body organs.
Interestingly, the survival rate for individuals who have a family history of melanoma is higher than for people without a family history. This is believed to be due to the fact that those with a family history are more diligent about skin checks and seeing their dermatologists for any concerns, which helps them spot cancer earlier.
Early-Stage Melanoma: Skin Cancer Treatment
Melanoma of the EyeMelanoma of the eye, known as ocular melanoma, is the second most common type of melanoma after skin melanoma. It is the most common type of primary eye tumor in adults and causes about 2,000 new cases in the United States each year. It begins in the melanocytes in the eye, the cells responsible for your eye color.Those with fair skin and light eye color are at higher risk for ocular melanoma, and it is unclear if sun damage is to blame. Ocular melanoma can be diagnosed during a dilated eye exam and has several treatment options like radiation, surgery, and other therapies.
Melanoma of the Eye
Melanoma of the eye, known as ocular melanoma, is the second most common type of melanoma after skin melanoma. It is the most common type of primary eye tumor in adults and causes about 2,000 new cases in the United States each year. It begins in the melanocytes in the eye, the cells responsible for your eye color.Those with fair skin and light eye color are at higher risk for ocular melanoma, and it is unclear if sun damage is to blame. Ocular melanoma can be diagnosed during a dilated eye exam and has several treatment options like radiation, surgery, and other therapies.
Melanoma of the eye, known as ocular melanoma, is the second most common type of melanoma after skin melanoma. It is the most common type of primary eye tumor in adults and causes about 2,000 new cases in the United States each year. It begins in the melanocytes in the eye, the cells responsible for your eye color.
Those with fair skin and light eye color are at higher risk for ocular melanoma, and it is unclear if sun damage is to blame. Ocular melanoma can be diagnosed during a dilated eye exam and has several treatment options like radiation, surgery, and other therapies.
Merkel Cell Cancer
Merkel cell cancer is a rare, aggressive form of skin cancer. Each year about 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with Merkel cell cancer, and it’s estimated to cause 700 deaths annually. It is 40 times rarer than melanoma, and is more likely to spread and return once treated.
Merkel cells are found deep in the skin’s outermost layer. They are connected to the nerves and functions such as touch receptors, which send messages about touch and sensation to the brain.
Signs of Merkel Cell Cancer
Merkel cell cancer growths usually appear as firm, painless bumps or sores. They are found on sun-exposed areas of the body, especially the head, neck, and eyelids. The growths look like pearly pimple-like lumps and may be difficult to recognize. They can be pink, red, or purplish-blue. They usually grow quickly, which is why they are three to five times deadlier than melanoma.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Merkel cell cancer can grow in areas of the body that do not receive sunlight, as well as those that frequently get sun exposure. Unlike other forms of skin cancer, Merkel cell cancer is associated with a virus called the Merkel cell polyomavirus. It’s unclear how much having the virus raises someone’s risk of Merkel cell cancer because the virus is very common while Merkel cell cancer is quite rare.
Your risk for Merkel cell cancer increases if you:
Merkel cell cancer is dangerous but treatable when caught early. Because it is so rare, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends finding a healthcare provider or academic medical center with specialized expertise in this type of cancer.Treatment will depend on how advanced the cancer is, but usually includes a combination of radiation, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Rarer Types of Skin Cancer
Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and Merkel cell cancer make up the vast majority of all skin cancer cases. However, there are several other rare types of skin cancer:
Precancerous Skin Conditions
Some precancerous growths, often attributable to sun exposure, can lead to skin cancer over time. However, if they are recognized and removed early, you could avoid a cancer diagnosis. These growths include:
Information on Free Skin Cancer Screenings
Summary
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22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hasan N, Nadaf A, Imran M.Skin cancer: understanding the journey of transformation from conventional to advanced treatment options.Mol Cancer. 2023 Oct;22(1):168. doi:10.1186/s12943-023-01854-3American Cancer Society.What are basal and squamous cell skin cancers?.Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma.Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma treatment.Hasan A, Rabie A, Elhussiny M, et al.Recurrent cutaneous basal carcinoma after surgical excision: a retrospective clinicopathological study.Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022 Jun;78(1):103877. doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103877Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma.Pignone MP, Adamson AS.Keratinocyte carcinomas: Should we screen for them?.Am Fam Physician. 2020 Sep 15;102(6):330-331.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of skin cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for melanoma skin cancer.National Cancer Institute.Types of melanoma.Skin Cancer Foundation.Melanoma warning signs.Skin Cancer Foundation.Melanoma.Skin Cancer Foundation.Melanoma risk factors.Melanoma Research Foundation.Ocular melanoma.Skin Cancer Foundation.Merkel cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of Merkel Cell Carcinoma.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Merkel cell carcinoma.Yang J, You J.Merkel cell polyomavirus and associated Merkel cell carcinoma.Tumour Virus Res. 2022 Jun;13(1):200232. doi:10.1016/j.tvr.2021.200232Lymphoma Research Foundation.Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.American Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma.Pujani M, Madaan GB, Jairajpuri ZS, Jetley S, Hassan MJ, Khan S.Adnexal tumors of skin: An experience at a tertiary care center at Delhi.Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2016 Sep-Oct;6(5):280-285. doi: 10.4103/amhsr.amhsr_339_14.American Cancer Association.What is a soft tissue sarcoma?.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Pujani M, Madaan GB, Jairajpuri ZS, Jetley S, Hassan MJ, Khan S.Adnexal tumors of skin: An experience at a tertiary care center at Delhi.Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2016 Sep-Oct;6(5):280-285. doi: 10.4103/amhsr.amhsr_339_14.
American Cancer Association.What is a soft tissue sarcoma?.
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