Cancer that forms in tissues of the skin. There are several types of skin cancer. Skin cancer that forms in melanocytes (skin cells that make pigment) is called melanoma. Skin cancer that forms in basal cells (small, round cells in the base of the outer layer of skin) is called basal cell carcinoma. Skin cancer that forms in squamous cells (flat cells that form the surface of the skin) is called squamous cell carcinoma. There are three major types of skin cancer - basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinomas and most squamous cell carcinomas are slow growing and highly treatable, especially if found early. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It affects deeper layers of the skin and has the greatest potential to spread to other tissues in the body. Squamous cell carcinoma also can spread internally.



Causes of Skin Cancer

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Energy from the sun actually is a form of radiation. It consists of visible light and other rays that people can't see. Invisible infrared radiation, for instance, makes sunlight feel hot. UV also is invisible, and causes sunburn and sun tan. Skin cancer is mainly caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun (solar UV radiation) and other sources such as solariums or UV lamps.

Heredity - people with a family history of skin cancer are generally at a higher risk of developing the disease. People with fair skin, and a northern European heritage, appear to be most susceptible.

You live closer to the equator, at a higher altitude, or in any place that gets intense, year-round sunshine.

Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers develop very slowly. And the older you are, the more time you have had to build up sun damage to your skin. So the older you are, the more likely you are to get a non melanoma skin cancer. But skin cancers can develop in younger people too.

If you have had radiotherapy before, the treatment area will be more at risk from sun damage. You should keep it covered and use high factor sun cream. If you have been exposed to radiation through your job, you will also have a slightly increased risk of non melanoma skin cancer.::

Treatment

Radiotherapy-Radiotherapy can be used to treat basal cell or squamous cell cancers. Radiotherapy can also be used to treat cancer that has spread to lymph nodes. In advanced cancers, which have spread to another part of the body, radiotherapy can be used to relieve symptoms. It is also used to treat cancers that have come back (recurred) after they were first treated with surgery.

Chemotherapy. In chemotherapy, drugs are used to kill cancer cells. For cancers limited to the top layer of skin, creams or lotions containing anti-cancer agents may be applied directly to the skin. Topical drugs can cause severe inflammation and leave scars. Other types of chemotherapy can be used to treat skin cancers that have spread to other parts of the body.

Radiation Therapy is treatment with high-energy rays to kill or shrink cancer cells. The radiation may come from outside the body or from radioactive materials placed directly in the tumor

Surgery is the first step in treating almost all types of skin cancers. Conventional surgery (removing the entire cancerous area at one time) is not often used for basal and squamous cell skin cancers. Many basal and squamous cell skin cancers can be removed from the skin quickly and easily.