Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat to Look ForActinic KeratosisActinic CheilitisBasal Cell CarcinomaSquamous Cell CarcinomaMelanomaSebaceous Gland CarcinomaMerkel Cell CarcinomaOther CancersPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What to Look For
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic Cheilitis
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Melanoma
Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Other Cancers
Prevention
Since the face is the part of the body most often exposed to the sun, it is a common site forskin cancerto develop. This includes the most common type calledbasal cell carcinoma (BCC). You can also get cancers likesquamous cell carcinoma (SCC)ormelanomaon the face, neck, or ears due to overexposure toultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Skin cancer on the face is often confused formolesorsolar lentigo(liver spots), which is why is important to get them checked out if a new spot appears or an old one changes. A skin spot may also be due to a common type of precancer calledactinic keratosis.
This article describes the common and uncommon types of skin cancer on the face, including what the lesions look like and who is most at risk.
How Common Is Skin Cancer?According to the American Academy of Dermatology, around one in five people in the United States will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. An estimated 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
How Common Is Skin Cancer?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, around one in five people in the United States will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. An estimated 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
CasarsaGuru / Getty Images
What Are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer on the Face?
Skin cancer on the face is often spotted earlier than other parts of the body, mainly because we look at ourselves in the mirror regularly. Even so, people can sometimes miss spots in and around the ears or under the chin and, when they do spot them, forget if they are new spots or old ones.
Signs and symptoms of the three most common skin cancers on the face include:
Actinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis, is a common precancerous skin condition. It’s often found on the face—near the eyes,nose, ears, or lips.Precancermeans lesions that aren’t officially cancerous but can turn into cancer if left untreated.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
Actinic keratosis (AK) is often mistaken for age spots, pimples, irritated skin, or badly chapped lips. In terms of appearance:
Skin Cancer and Rash: When Do Symptoms Suggest Cancer?
Who Is at Risk?
AKs are common—approximately 40 million Americans will develop AKs each year.
Risk factors include:
Treatment
Because AKs can lead to more dangerous conditions if untreated, it’s essential to have your dermatologist review any suspect spots so they can treat them as soon as possible. Treatments will remove the lesions; the treatment method depends on the lesion location and number of lesions.
Healthcare providers can destroy the lesions directly with laser treatments andphotodynamic therapy, which uses a combination of light and medications to kill precancerous cells.
Healthcare providers might also prescribe medications to treat AKs, including creams for the skin like Adrucil (fluorouracil), Solaraze (diclofenac), and Aldara (imiquimod), and Klisyri (tirbanibulin)
Actinic cheilitis(AC) is a precancerous condition of the lip (similar to actinic keratosis). Some healthcare providers classify it as a very early-stage cancer of the lip. It presents as a red, dry, scaling, itchy Inflammation of the lips.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet
DermNet
It feels like persistent chapped lips or lip tightness, and you might see atrophy (thinning) and blurring of the border between the lips and the skin. The lips become scaly and rough with erosions or fissures and a sandpaper-like texture. It is more common on the lower lip but can also happen on the upper lip.
Actinic cheilitis is also known as farmer’s lip, sailor’s lip, and solar cheilitis.
One of the most significant risk factors for AC is long-term sun exposure, specifically outdoor jobs like construction, farming, and sailing.
Other risk factors include:
Treatments for AC include surgery to remove the affected area, and potentially part of the lip.Destructive treatments include photodynamic therapy (light treatment), cryosurgery (freezing), laser ablation, dermabrasion, and electrodesiccation.
These approaches seem to work best at preventing recurrence. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe topical therapies like Adrucil, Aldara, and Solaraze gel or lotion.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It is diagnosed in approximately 4 million people per year in the U.S. and makes up about 80% of non-melanoma skin cancers.They’re common on the head and neck but can happen anywhere. Most cases can be treated and cured.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoSkin Cancer Foundation
Skin Cancer Foundation
BCCs have a wide variety of appearances:
What Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Look Like?
While anyone can develop BCCs, risk factors include:
Most BCCs are not very serious. But, if these cancers are not recognized and treated, they can lead to disfigurement, complications, and even death. BCCs very rarely metastasize (spread to other areas of the body), but there are rare, aggressive forms that can be fatal.
Medications, including topical medicationsAldaraor Adrucil, can be used to treat BCCs. If cancer has spread, oral medications including Erivedge (vismodegib) and Odomzo (sonidegib) might be used.
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are the second most common skin cancer and make up the other 20% of non-melanoma skin cancers.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoMount Sinai
Mount Sinai
The people who are most at risk for SCCs include those who:
SCCs are more likely to spread to other parts of the body than BCCs, but most are easily treatable and not likely to be fatal.
Treatment options for SCCs include skin cancer surgeries and destructive therapies, like photodynamic therapy and radiation. If the SCC spreads, your healthcare provider might recommend chemotherapy.
Melanomais the ninth most common cancer in the U.S.It typically appears on the trunk in men and legs in women, but it can also happen on the face. While it’s one of the better-known types of skin cancer, it’s not all that common. It makes up about 1% of skin cancers. In the U.S., there are about 106,000 cases per year and about 7,100 people die from it annually.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
There are four main subtypes of melanoma, each with unique characteristics. Melanoma can develop from existing moles or as a new dark spot that wasn’t there before. It can be either flat or raised and might bleed easily. The parts of the face most commonly affected are the head, neck, eyes, and mouth.
Excessive sun damage is the most significant risk factor for melanoma, but some specific traits can increase your risk of developing it.
Risk factors for melanoma include:
Melanoma has a tendency to become malignant and spread to the rest of the body, and it can be deadly.
Your healthcare provider will likely remove the tumor with surgery. Depending on how large the melanoma is, they might give it a wide excision around it, potentially even an amputation. If it has spread, your healthcare provider will also take a biopsy to see if it has spread to the lymph nodes.
There are a lot of promising medication therapies that can help treat melanoma. Immunotherapies are medications that use the body’s immune system to fight the tumor.Targeted therapies specifically attack the cancer cells based on their unique characteristics.
How to Spot MelanomaMelanoma, the least common but most serious skin cancer, can be spotted using the ABCDE rule which describes the five characteristics to watch out for, namely:A - Asymmetry: When the two halves of a lesion don’t matchB - Borders: When the edges of a lesion are jagged or irregularC - Color: Whe a single lesion has multiple colors like brown, tan, black, red, blue, or pinkD - Diameter: When a lesion is more than 6 millimeters (0.25 inch) acrossE - Evolution: When a lesion changes in size, shape, or color
How to Spot Melanoma
Melanoma, the least common but most serious skin cancer, can be spotted using the ABCDE rule which describes the five characteristics to watch out for, namely:A - Asymmetry: When the two halves of a lesion don’t matchB - Borders: When the edges of a lesion are jagged or irregularC - Color: Whe a single lesion has multiple colors like brown, tan, black, red, blue, or pinkD - Diameter: When a lesion is more than 6 millimeters (0.25 inch) acrossE - Evolution: When a lesion changes in size, shape, or color
Melanoma, the least common but most serious skin cancer, can be spotted using the ABCDE rule which describes the five characteristics to watch out for, namely:
Sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) is a rare skin cancer that grows from the sebaceous gland cells that secrete oil and sebum to lubricate the hair follicles. SGCs can occur anywhere, but most occur on the upper and lower eyelids because they have the most sebaceous glands. They’re often referred to aseyelid cancers.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoSuresh Sagili and Raman Malhotra / British Journal of General Practice
Suresh Sagili and Raman Malhotra / British Journal of General Practice
Sebaceous glands of the eyelid are called meibomian glands, and sebaceous gland carcinomas on the eyelid are sometimes called meibomian gland carcinomas. These tumors are painless, round, and firmly implanted in the eyelid. You may need to pull on the eyelid to see it.
The tumors can be slow-growing and often look yellowish. It can look like the part of the eyelid where it meets the lashes has thickened. SGC can have a yellow or reddish crust or can look like a pimple on the eyelid. It might bleed and form a sore that doesn’t heal or that reappears.
The tumor might be mistaken for astye,chalazion, orpink eye, all of which are much more common than SGC.
The major risk factors for SGCs include:
SGCs are aggressive cancers that can spread. Treatments include surgery to remove the tumor (usually Mohs), reconstructive surgery, and if the cancer is advanced, lymph node or eye removal. Other destructive methods are being tested for SGCs, including cryotherapy and radiation, though they’re not the first choice.
Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) are a rare cause of skin cancer of the head or neck. Only about 2,000 are diagnosed every year in the U.S.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoThe Skin Cancer Foundation
The Skin Cancer Foundation
Tumors take the form of rapidly growing, painless, firm, shiny nodules that can be pink, red, or purple. They’re sometimes mistaken for an insect bite, sore, cyst, stye, or pimple.
The significant risk factors for MCCs include:
Treatments involve surgery and medication options.Destruction of the tumor through radiation, either after or in place of surgery, may also be done.
Medications include chemotherapy, hormone-like drugs, and targeted therapies that directly attack the cancer cells.There are immunotherapy options like immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers are also testing out autologous T-cell therapy, in which the patient’s white blood cells are removed from their blood and taught to recognize cancer, then reinjected to fight MCCs.
Other Cancers on the Face
There are a few other rare skin cancers that might happen on the face:
How Is Skin Cancer on the Face Prevented?
Your face is the most sun-kissed part of your body. Avoiding the sun (and other sources of UV light) is the best way to reduce your risk for skin cancers on the face (or anywhere!)
It’s best to avoid indoor tanning beds and extended sun sessions outside. However, your face is likely to end up uncovered at some point, so you have to take extra precautions when you are out in the sun.
Sunscreen and SPF
The simplest way to avoid dangerous UV rays while outside is to apply sunblock or sunscreen.
Sunscreens come in two types—chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens absorb the sun’s UV light, while physical sunblocks block the light from reaching your skin.
In addition to daily prevention with SPF, take some extra caution when you’re spending a long time out in the sun, especially if it’s a hot day. Make sure to use sunscreen formulated for the face, and reapply regularly (not just once in the morning), especially if you’re sweating.
Another approach? Opt for a lifeguard vibe and swipe on some thick zinc SPF.
Beyond Sunscreen
Sunscreen isn’t the only way to lower your skin cancer risk.
Try these tips:
Summary
In some cases, a new skin spot may be due to a precancer like actinic keratosis or actinic cheilitis, both of which can turn into skin cancer if left untreated.
48 SourcesVerywell 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.American Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer.American Academy of Dermatology.Actinic keratosis: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: overview.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Rothmund-Thomson syndrome.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Bloom syndrome.Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic keratosis treatment.Trager MH, Farmer K, Ulrich C, Basset-Seguin N, Herms F, Geskin LJ, Bouaziz JD, Lebbé C, de Masson A, Bagot M, Dobos G.Actinic cheilitis: a systematic review of treatment options.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Nov 30. doi:10.1111/jdv.16995American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Actinic cheilitis.National Cancer Institute.Electrodessication.Lai M, Pampena R, Cornacchia L, Pellacani G, Peris K, Longo C.Treatments of actinic cheilitis: A systematic review of the literature.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Sep;83(3):876-887. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.07.106American Cancer Society.Key statistics for basal and squamous cell skin cancers.Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma treatment.Skin Cancer Foundation. “Squamous Cell Carcinoma Overview"Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma risk factors.American Cancer Society.What are basal and squamous cell skin cancers?American Cancer Society.Treating squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.National Cancer Institute.Common cancer types.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for melanoma skin cancer.InformedHealth.org.What increases your risk of melanoma?American Cancer Society.Surgery for melanoma skin cancer.Sadozai H, Gruber T, Hunger RE, Schenk M.Recent successes and future directions in immunotherapy of cutaneous melanoma.Front Immunol. 2017;8:1617. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01617American Cancer Society.Targeted therapy drugs for melanoma skin cancer.American Cancer Society.What is melanoma skin cancer?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma signs & symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma causes.NIH National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Muir-Torre Syndrome.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma diagnosis & treatment.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Merkel cell carcinoma signs & symptoms.American Cancer Society.Merkel cell carcinoma risk factors.Coggshall K, Tello TL, North JP, Yu SS.Merkel cell carcinoma: An update and review: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and staging.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Mar;78(3):433-442. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.12.001American Cancer Society.Surgery for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Radiation therapy for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for Merkel cell carcinomas.Villani A, Fabbrocini G, Costa C, Carmela Annunziata M, Scalvenzi M.Merkel cell carcinoma: Therapeutic update and emerging therapies.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(2):209-222. doi:10.1007/s13555-019-0288-zAmerican Cancer Society.Types of lymphoma of the skin.American Cancer Society.What is Kaposi sarcoma?MedlinePlus.Kaposi sarcoma.Ntomouchtsis A, Vahtsevanos K, Patrikidou A, Andreadis C, Tsobanidou C, Antoniades K.Adnexal skin carcinomas of the face.J Craniofac Surg. 2009 Jan;20(1):134-7. doi:10.1097/SCS.0b013e318190e1eaJohns Hopkins Medicine.Sarcoma of the head and neck.Kim NG, Kim JO, Park YJ, Kim JS, Lee YJ, Lee KS.Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma of the face.Arch Craniofac Surg. 2017;18(2):145-148. doi:10.7181/acfs.2017.18.2.145United States Environmental Protection Agency.Sunscreen: The burning facts.Green A, Williams G, Neale R, Hart V, Leslie D, Parsons P, Marks GC, Gaffney P, Battistutta D, Frost C, Lang C, Russell A.Daily sunscreen application and betacarotene supplementation in prevention of basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin: a randomised controlled trial.Lancet. 1999 Aug 28;354(9180):723-9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(98)12168-2Green AC, Williams GM, Logan V, Strutton GM.Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow-up.J Clin Oncol. 2011 Jan 20;29(3):257-63. doi:10.1200/JCO.2010.28.7078Hughes MC, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC.Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial.Ann Intern Med. 2013 Jun 4;158(11):781-90. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002Backes C, Religi A, Moccozet L, Behar-Cohen F, Vuilleumier L, Bulliard JL, Vernez D.Sun exposure to the eyes: predicted UV protection effectiveness of various sunglasses.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2019 Oct;29(6):753-764. doi:10.1038/s41370-018-0087-0American Academy of Ophthalmology.Recommended types of sunglasses.
48 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.American Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer.American Academy of Dermatology.Actinic keratosis: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: overview.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Rothmund-Thomson syndrome.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Bloom syndrome.Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic keratosis treatment.Trager MH, Farmer K, Ulrich C, Basset-Seguin N, Herms F, Geskin LJ, Bouaziz JD, Lebbé C, de Masson A, Bagot M, Dobos G.Actinic cheilitis: a systematic review of treatment options.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Nov 30. doi:10.1111/jdv.16995American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Actinic cheilitis.National Cancer Institute.Electrodessication.Lai M, Pampena R, Cornacchia L, Pellacani G, Peris K, Longo C.Treatments of actinic cheilitis: A systematic review of the literature.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Sep;83(3):876-887. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.07.106American Cancer Society.Key statistics for basal and squamous cell skin cancers.Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma treatment.Skin Cancer Foundation. “Squamous Cell Carcinoma Overview"Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma risk factors.American Cancer Society.What are basal and squamous cell skin cancers?American Cancer Society.Treating squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.National Cancer Institute.Common cancer types.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for melanoma skin cancer.InformedHealth.org.What increases your risk of melanoma?American Cancer Society.Surgery for melanoma skin cancer.Sadozai H, Gruber T, Hunger RE, Schenk M.Recent successes and future directions in immunotherapy of cutaneous melanoma.Front Immunol. 2017;8:1617. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01617American Cancer Society.Targeted therapy drugs for melanoma skin cancer.American Cancer Society.What is melanoma skin cancer?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma signs & symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma causes.NIH National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Muir-Torre Syndrome.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma diagnosis & treatment.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Merkel cell carcinoma signs & symptoms.American Cancer Society.Merkel cell carcinoma risk factors.Coggshall K, Tello TL, North JP, Yu SS.Merkel cell carcinoma: An update and review: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and staging.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Mar;78(3):433-442. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.12.001American Cancer Society.Surgery for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Radiation therapy for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for Merkel cell carcinomas.Villani A, Fabbrocini G, Costa C, Carmela Annunziata M, Scalvenzi M.Merkel cell carcinoma: Therapeutic update and emerging therapies.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(2):209-222. doi:10.1007/s13555-019-0288-zAmerican Cancer Society.Types of lymphoma of the skin.American Cancer Society.What is Kaposi sarcoma?MedlinePlus.Kaposi sarcoma.Ntomouchtsis A, Vahtsevanos K, Patrikidou A, Andreadis C, Tsobanidou C, Antoniades K.Adnexal skin carcinomas of the face.J Craniofac Surg. 2009 Jan;20(1):134-7. doi:10.1097/SCS.0b013e318190e1eaJohns Hopkins Medicine.Sarcoma of the head and neck.Kim NG, Kim JO, Park YJ, Kim JS, Lee YJ, Lee KS.Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma of the face.Arch Craniofac Surg. 2017;18(2):145-148. doi:10.7181/acfs.2017.18.2.145United States Environmental Protection Agency.Sunscreen: The burning facts.Green A, Williams G, Neale R, Hart V, Leslie D, Parsons P, Marks GC, Gaffney P, Battistutta D, Frost C, Lang C, Russell A.Daily sunscreen application and betacarotene supplementation in prevention of basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin: a randomised controlled trial.Lancet. 1999 Aug 28;354(9180):723-9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(98)12168-2Green AC, Williams GM, Logan V, Strutton GM.Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow-up.J Clin Oncol. 2011 Jan 20;29(3):257-63. doi:10.1200/JCO.2010.28.7078Hughes MC, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC.Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial.Ann Intern Med. 2013 Jun 4;158(11):781-90. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002Backes C, Religi A, Moccozet L, Behar-Cohen F, Vuilleumier L, Bulliard JL, Vernez D.Sun exposure to the eyes: predicted UV protection effectiveness of various sunglasses.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2019 Oct;29(6):753-764. doi:10.1038/s41370-018-0087-0American Academy of Ophthalmology.Recommended types of sunglasses.
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.
American Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer.American Academy of Dermatology.Actinic keratosis: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: overview.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Rothmund-Thomson syndrome.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Bloom syndrome.Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic keratosis treatment.Trager MH, Farmer K, Ulrich C, Basset-Seguin N, Herms F, Geskin LJ, Bouaziz JD, Lebbé C, de Masson A, Bagot M, Dobos G.Actinic cheilitis: a systematic review of treatment options.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Nov 30. doi:10.1111/jdv.16995American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Actinic cheilitis.National Cancer Institute.Electrodessication.Lai M, Pampena R, Cornacchia L, Pellacani G, Peris K, Longo C.Treatments of actinic cheilitis: A systematic review of the literature.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Sep;83(3):876-887. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.07.106American Cancer Society.Key statistics for basal and squamous cell skin cancers.Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma treatment.Skin Cancer Foundation. “Squamous Cell Carcinoma Overview"Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma risk factors.American Cancer Society.What are basal and squamous cell skin cancers?American Cancer Society.Treating squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.National Cancer Institute.Common cancer types.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for melanoma skin cancer.InformedHealth.org.What increases your risk of melanoma?American Cancer Society.Surgery for melanoma skin cancer.Sadozai H, Gruber T, Hunger RE, Schenk M.Recent successes and future directions in immunotherapy of cutaneous melanoma.Front Immunol. 2017;8:1617. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01617American Cancer Society.Targeted therapy drugs for melanoma skin cancer.American Cancer Society.What is melanoma skin cancer?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma signs & symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma causes.NIH National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Muir-Torre Syndrome.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma diagnosis & treatment.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Merkel cell carcinoma signs & symptoms.American Cancer Society.Merkel cell carcinoma risk factors.Coggshall K, Tello TL, North JP, Yu SS.Merkel cell carcinoma: An update and review: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and staging.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Mar;78(3):433-442. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.12.001American Cancer Society.Surgery for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Radiation therapy for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for Merkel cell carcinoma.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for Merkel cell carcinomas.Villani A, Fabbrocini G, Costa C, Carmela Annunziata M, Scalvenzi M.Merkel cell carcinoma: Therapeutic update and emerging therapies.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(2):209-222. doi:10.1007/s13555-019-0288-zAmerican Cancer Society.Types of lymphoma of the skin.American Cancer Society.What is Kaposi sarcoma?MedlinePlus.Kaposi sarcoma.Ntomouchtsis A, Vahtsevanos K, Patrikidou A, Andreadis C, Tsobanidou C, Antoniades K.Adnexal skin carcinomas of the face.J Craniofac Surg. 2009 Jan;20(1):134-7. doi:10.1097/SCS.0b013e318190e1eaJohns Hopkins Medicine.Sarcoma of the head and neck.Kim NG, Kim JO, Park YJ, Kim JS, Lee YJ, Lee KS.Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma of the face.Arch Craniofac Surg. 2017;18(2):145-148. doi:10.7181/acfs.2017.18.2.145United States Environmental Protection Agency.Sunscreen: The burning facts.Green A, Williams G, Neale R, Hart V, Leslie D, Parsons P, Marks GC, Gaffney P, Battistutta D, Frost C, Lang C, Russell A.Daily sunscreen application and betacarotene supplementation in prevention of basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin: a randomised controlled trial.Lancet. 1999 Aug 28;354(9180):723-9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(98)12168-2Green AC, Williams GM, Logan V, Strutton GM.Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow-up.J Clin Oncol. 2011 Jan 20;29(3):257-63. doi:10.1200/JCO.2010.28.7078Hughes MC, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC.Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial.Ann Intern Med. 2013 Jun 4;158(11):781-90. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002Backes C, Religi A, Moccozet L, Behar-Cohen F, Vuilleumier L, Bulliard JL, Vernez D.Sun exposure to the eyes: predicted UV protection effectiveness of various sunglasses.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2019 Oct;29(6):753-764. doi:10.1038/s41370-018-0087-0American Academy of Ophthalmology.Recommended types of sunglasses.
American Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer.
American Academy of Dermatology.Actinic keratosis: signs and symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Actinic keratosis: overview.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Rothmund-Thomson syndrome.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Bloom syndrome.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic keratosis treatment.
Trager MH, Farmer K, Ulrich C, Basset-Seguin N, Herms F, Geskin LJ, Bouaziz JD, Lebbé C, de Masson A, Bagot M, Dobos G.Actinic cheilitis: a systematic review of treatment options.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Nov 30. doi:10.1111/jdv.16995
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Actinic cheilitis.
National Cancer Institute.Electrodessication.
Lai M, Pampena R, Cornacchia L, Pellacani G, Peris K, Longo C.Treatments of actinic cheilitis: A systematic review of the literature.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Sep;83(3):876-887. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.07.106
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for basal and squamous cell skin cancers.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma treatment.
Skin Cancer Foundation. “Squamous Cell Carcinoma Overview”
Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma risk factors.
American Cancer Society.What are basal and squamous cell skin cancers?
American Cancer Society.Treating squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
National Cancer Institute.Common cancer types.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for melanoma skin cancer.
InformedHealth.org.What increases your risk of melanoma?
American Cancer Society.Surgery for melanoma skin cancer.
Sadozai H, Gruber T, Hunger RE, Schenk M.Recent successes and future directions in immunotherapy of cutaneous melanoma.Front Immunol. 2017;8:1617. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01617
American Cancer Society.Targeted therapy drugs for melanoma skin cancer.
American Cancer Society.What is melanoma skin cancer?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma signs & symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma causes.
NIH National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences—Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Muir-Torre Syndrome.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma diagnosis & treatment.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for Merkel cell carcinoma.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Merkel cell carcinoma signs & symptoms.
American Cancer Society.Merkel cell carcinoma risk factors.
Coggshall K, Tello TL, North JP, Yu SS.Merkel cell carcinoma: An update and review: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and staging.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Mar;78(3):433-442. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.12.001
American Cancer Society.Surgery for Merkel cell carcinoma.
American Cancer Society.Radiation therapy for Merkel cell carcinoma.
American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for Merkel cell carcinoma.
American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for Merkel cell carcinomas.
Villani A, Fabbrocini G, Costa C, Carmela Annunziata M, Scalvenzi M.Merkel cell carcinoma: Therapeutic update and emerging therapies.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(2):209-222. doi:10.1007/s13555-019-0288-z
American Cancer Society.Types of lymphoma of the skin.
American Cancer Society.What is Kaposi sarcoma?
MedlinePlus.Kaposi sarcoma.
Ntomouchtsis A, Vahtsevanos K, Patrikidou A, Andreadis C, Tsobanidou C, Antoniades K.Adnexal skin carcinomas of the face.J Craniofac Surg. 2009 Jan;20(1):134-7. doi:10.1097/SCS.0b013e318190e1ea
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Sarcoma of the head and neck.
Kim NG, Kim JO, Park YJ, Kim JS, Lee YJ, Lee KS.Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma of the face.Arch Craniofac Surg. 2017;18(2):145-148. doi:10.7181/acfs.2017.18.2.145
United States Environmental Protection Agency.Sunscreen: The burning facts.
Green A, Williams G, Neale R, Hart V, Leslie D, Parsons P, Marks GC, Gaffney P, Battistutta D, Frost C, Lang C, Russell A.Daily sunscreen application and betacarotene supplementation in prevention of basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin: a randomised controlled trial.Lancet. 1999 Aug 28;354(9180):723-9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(98)12168-2
Green AC, Williams GM, Logan V, Strutton GM.Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow-up.J Clin Oncol. 2011 Jan 20;29(3):257-63. doi:10.1200/JCO.2010.28.7078
Hughes MC, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC.Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial.Ann Intern Med. 2013 Jun 4;158(11):781-90. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002
Backes C, Religi A, Moccozet L, Behar-Cohen F, Vuilleumier L, Bulliard JL, Vernez D.Sun exposure to the eyes: predicted UV protection effectiveness of various sunglasses.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2019 Oct;29(6):753-764. doi:10.1038/s41370-018-0087-0
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Recommended types of sunglasses.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
