Skin Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)—Patient Version - National Cancer Institute

Skin Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)—Patient Version - National Cancer Institute

Skin Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version

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SKIN CANCER

• Patient
  • Skin Cancer Treatment
  • Melanoma Treatment
  • Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treatment
  • Skin Cancer Prevention
  • Skin Cancer Screening
• Health Professional
• Research

SECTIONS

• General Information About Skin Cancer
• Stages of Skin Cancer
• Treatment Option Overview
• Treatment Options for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
• Treatment Options for Actinic Keratosis
• To Learn More About Skin Cancer
• About This PDQ Summary
• View All Sections

General Information About Skin Cancer

KEY POINTS

• Skin cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the skin.
• There are different types of cancer that start in the skin.
• Skin color and being exposed to sunlight can increase the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis.
• Nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis often appear as a change in the skin.
• Tests or procedures that examine the skin are used to detect (find) and diagnose nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis.
• Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Skin cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the skin.

The skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. Skin also helps control body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D. The skin has several layers, but the two main layers are the epidermis (upper or outer layer) and the dermis (lower or inner layer). Skin cancer begins in the epidermis, which is made up of three kinds of cells:

• Squamous cells: Thin, flat cells that form the top layer of the epidermis.
• Basal cells: Round cells under the squamous cells.
• Melanocytes: Cells that make melanin and are found in the lower part of the epidermis. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes make more pigment and cause the skin to darken.

ENLARGE

Anatomy of the skin showing the epidermis (including the squamous cell and basal cell layers), dermis, subcutaneous tissue, and other parts of the skin.

Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body, but it is most common in skin that is often exposed to sunlight, such as the face, neck, hands, and arms.

There are different types of cancer that start in the skin.

The most common types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are nonmelanoma skin cancers. Nonmelanoma skin cancers rarely spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma is a much rarer type of skin cancer. It is more likely to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. Actinic keratosis is a skin condition that sometimes becomes squamous cell carcinoma.

This summary is about nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis. See the following PDQ summaries for information on melanoma and other kinds of cancer that affect the skin:

• Melanoma Treatment
• Mycosis Fungoides (Including Sézary Syndrome) Treatment
• Kaposi Sarcoma Treatment
• Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treatment
• Unusual Cancers of Childhood Treatment
• Genetics of Skin Cancer

Skin color and being exposed to sunlight can increase the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis.

Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk.

Risk factors for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma include the following:

• Being exposed to natural sunlight or artificial sunlight (such as from tanning beds) over long periods of time.
• Having a fair complexion, which includes the following:
  • Fair skin that freckles and burns easily, does not tan, or tans poorly.
  • Blue or green or other light-colored eyes.
  • Red or blond hair.
• Having actinic keratosis.
• Past treatment with radiation.
• Having a weakened immune system.
• Having certain changes in the genes that are linked to skin cancer.
• Being exposed to arsenic.

Risk factors for actinic keratosis include the following:

• Being exposed to natural sunlight or artificial sunlight (such as from tanning beds) over long periods of time.
• Having a fair complexion, which includes the following:
  • Fair skin that freckles and burns easily, does not tan, or tans poorly.
  • Blue or green or other light-colored eyes.
  • Red or blond hair.

Although having a fair complexion is a risk factor for skin cancer and actinic keratosis, people of all skin colors can get skin cancer and actinic keratosis.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis often appear as a change in the skin.

Not all changes in the skin are a sign of nonmelanoma skin cancer or actinic keratosis. Check with your doctor if you notice any changes in your skin.

Signs of nonmelanoma skin cancer include the following:

• A sore that does not heal.
• Areas of the skin that are:
  • Raised, smooth, shiny, and look pearly.
  • Firm and look like a scar, and may be white, yellow, or waxy.
  • Raised, and red or reddish-brown.
  • Scaly, bleeding or crusty.

Signs of actinic keratosis include the following:

• A rough, red, pink, or brown, raised, scaly patch on the skin that may be flat or raised.
• Cracking or peeling of the lower lip that is not helped by lip balm or petroleum jelly.

Tests or procedures that examine the skin are used to detect (find) and diagnose nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis.

The following procedures may be used:

• Skin exam: A doctor or nurse checks the skin for bumps or spots that look abnormal in color, size, shape, or texture.
• Skin biopsy : All or part of the abnormal-looking growth is cut from the skin and viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. There are four main types of skin biopsies:
  • Shave biopsy : A sterile razor blade is used to “shave-off” the abnormal-looking growth.
  • Punch biopsy : A special instrument called a punch or a trephine is used to remove a circle of tissue from the abnormal-looking growth.

    ENLARGE

    Punch biopsy. A hollow, circular scalpel is used to cut into a lesion on the skin. The instrument is turned clockwise and counterclockwise to cut down about 4 millimeters (mm) to the layer of fatty tissue below the dermis. A small sample of tissue is removed to be checked under a microscope. Skin thickness is different on different parts of the body.

  • Incisional biopsy : A scalpel is used to remove part of a growth.
  • Excisional biopsy : A scalpel is used to remove the entire growth.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) depends mostly on the stage of the cancer and the type of treatment used to remove the cancer.

Treatment options depend on the following:

• The stage of the cancer (whether it has spread deeper into the skin or to other places in the body).
• The type of cancer.
• The size of the tumor and what part of the body it affects.
• The patient’s general health.

Next section >
Stages of Skin Cancer