Skin Cancer

About skin cancer

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About skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer among both men and women. It’s diagnosed more often in the United States than all other cancers combined, and the diagnosis rate is increasing. Fortunately, when found early, skin cancer treatment can be very successful.


Scripps Cancer Center treats more skin cancer patients than any other San Diego health care provider, including treating rare and aggressive cancers. Scripps dermatologists and cancer physicians are national leaders in Mohs micrographic surgery, the most common treatment for aggressive skin cancer, and have performed more Mohs procedures than any other center in southern California. In addition, we train physicians nationwide through the Scripps Mohs fellowship program.


Scripps also was the first San Diego health care provider to use interferon to treat basal cell carcinomas. Our specialists are experts in all types of skin cancer, including difficult cases involving intricate areas and cosmetic reconstruction. Our multidisciplinary, collaborative board of cancer specialists reviews complex care plans to ensure patients receive the best possible care from diagnosis to recovery.

Signs and symptoms

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Signs and symptoms

Prevention and screening

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Prevention and screening

Diagnosis and stages

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Diagnosis and stages

Treatment

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Treatment

Types of skin cancer

There are several types of skin cancer. Each type is determined by the cells in which it begins.

The most common skin cancers are non-melanoma skin cancers; the two main types of non-melanoma skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.


Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cells are in the layer of skin below the surface. Basal cells continually divide and form new cells, which move up to the skin’s surface and become squamous cells. The most common type of skin cancer, basal cell cancer, makes up about 8 out of 10 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer. It’s most common on areas exposed to the sun, especially the head and neck. It tends to grow slowly and rarely spreads, but if not treated, it can grow into other areas such as bone or tissues under the skin.


Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cells are flat cells on the surface layer of the skin. These cells are continually shedding and replaced by new cells. Squamous cell cancers make up about 2 out of 10 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer. This cancer is most common on areas exposed to the sun. In some cases, they can start in scars, chronic skin sores or in the genital area. Squamous cell cancer can grow into deeper layers of skin and spread to other parts of the body, but this is not common.


  • Keratoacanthoma is dome-shaped tumor that develops on the skin. They often grow quickly at the start, and then slow down. Many go away without treatment, but some may continue to grow or spread. Dermatologists frequently treat them like squamous cell cancer.
  • Actinic (solar) keratosis is a precancerous condition that causes rough, scaly red or flesh-colored patches on the skin. These can develop into squamous cell cancer and should be monitored for changes. Often, a physician will remove them as a precaution.

Melanoma starts in the melanocytes, the pigment-making cells that give skin its color. Melanocytes also form moles, which are non-cancerous growths. Melanoma is less common than basal and squamous cell cancers, but it is more serious, and more likely to grow and spread if not treated.

Scripps also treats the following rare skin cancers:


Kaposi sarcoma

Kaposi sarcoma is a much less common type of cancer that develops in the cells of the lymph or blood vessels and may appear as red or brown lesions on the skin. It’s treated differently than common skin cancers.


Merkel cell carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of skin cancer. It develops in a type of neuroendocrine skin cell, and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body than common skin cancer types do.


Lymphoma of the skin

Lymphoma cancer starts in the immune system cells. If it starts in the skin, it’s called skin lymphoma (also known as cutaneous lymphomas).


Sebaceous carcinoma

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare skin cancer. It’s considered an aggressive skin cancer because it can spread.


Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare type of cancer, a soft tissue sarcoma that develops in the deep layers of skin.