Types Of Skin Cancer

There are many types of skin cancer and sub categories of Melanoma that can affect anyone who has had unsafe sun exposure. Even exposing yourself in the sun for short periods of time or burning just once a year can cause irreversible skin damage. This damage can lead to the mutation of moles and freckles, or the development of new nodules or bumps. These are often known as Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma. Within these 3 groups are various other skin cancer types including Actinic keratosis, which can lead to cancerous growth if it isn’t treated. The cancer precursors can be just as dangerous and risky as the cancer themselves.

Basal Cell Carcinoma is treated in a doctor’s office when caught early on in the development. The removal process is quick and mostly painless, and results in a strong success rate. If this cancer has spread to other regions of the body then the success rate isn’t always so high. Basal cell carcinoma is a very common type of skin cancer and can be treated. Many people who will be diagnosed with basal cell will be treated and healthy for the rest of their lives. However, if not treated early on this cancer can still spread or come back as something more aggressive. Basal cell is highly common amongst those that live in the Southwest, and women who tan frequently in tanning beds or outdoors excessively.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is considered a “middle range” skin cancer. It isn’t easy to treat, but it isn’t as difficult to treat as a Melanoma type skin cancer. Squamous cancerous growths often resemble a hard nodule that can be crusty, scaly, or feel odd to the touch. They vary depending on the type of squamous cancerous cell it is, but it’s usually red and located on the upper body around the neck and face area. Bleeding is a possibility, but if it bleeds then it is likely an aggressive form of a Squamous Cell Carcinoma. These can resemble a sore more than a mole as well, so be on the lookout for something that looks abnormal but also fits the above descriptions.

Melanoma is the type of skin cancer that grows rapidly and can become untreatable if left to grow. Melanoma is rare, but still affects thousands of people each year. Men and women of all backgrounds can get Melanoma and its subcategories if they go into the sun continuously without proper covering. Melanoma has many rare varieties that have very little known information on them. Melanoma continues to befuddle doctors who study this cancer, because it seems to change and have different properties with each changing evolution of the cancer.

Melanoma appears on men in the torso area, neck, and back, as well as the head. Of course it can be found on other parts of the body but it isn’t as common. On women melanoma can be found on lower legs interestingly enough. African Americans and other individuals with dark skin will get melanoma under fingernails and in other strange places. You know when something is wrong because a mole will often change shape, color, texture, and border design. This can lead to a serious and rapidly spreading cancer. Hidden melanomas are especially difficult to treat since most people cannot check their back or other crevices.  A few sub-types of Melanoma are known as:

Lentigo Maligna is known as a skin cancer that isn’t evasive yet, and grows at a very slow rate. Usually doctors can treat it and the patient can go on with their life happy and healthy. Sometimes it can lead to a risky type called “Lentigo Maligna Melanoma”, which is a more aggressive type that can spread quickly.

Mucosal Melanoma is exactly as it sounds – it occurs in mucous membranes. This can be inside the mouth, genitals, or anus. They are usually hard to spot until it has advanced, due to the hard to inspect locations of growth. It is considered a hidden melanoma, one of the hardest to treat and scariest to experience. It tends to come back again and again unless the first treatment is 100% successful.

Another relatively unknown type of skin cancer is known as Merkel Cell cancer. This cancer develops in the skin and hair follicles, creating a highly aggressive and difficult to treat and control cancer. This cancer can spread to the bones, organs, brain, and lymph nodes. This type of skin cancer is relatively new, and research is going into it to learn more about the why’s and how’s that everyone wants to know. One thing is that Merkel cell cancers need to be treated with surgery first, then other treatments are used if it isn’t successful. There are a few famous people who have had Merkel cell cancer and survived, so treatment is currently being improved and working well.

These types of skin cancer are all unique and have different properties, but can be life threatening if left to grow and become more intense. Melanoma is the worst type of cancer because it spreads easily and quickly to other organs. It can spread deep and attack multiple organs as well. Even though some types of skin cancer are easier to treat, it doesn’t make them any more desirable. They are all serious and require quite a bit of time and money to cure. They can be prevented easily by wearing sun block and protective clothing, and always avoiding excessive exposure to UV rays.  All treatment plans may involve the need for chemotherapy or other types of radiation therapy to kill the cancer. New research is being put into developing better methods for handling the many types of skin cancer.