Skin Cancer

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer and is usually found on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, scalp, ears, arms and torso. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but can be locally destructive.

Signs of basal cell carcinoma are:

• A shiny nodule or pimple
• A sore that won’t heal
• A scar-like area or rough red patches

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer. It begins in the uppermost layers of the skin and is most commonly a result of lifelong sun exposure. A small percentage of SCCs have the potential to spread to other areas of the body.

Signs of squamous cell carcinoma are:

• Crusted red nodules (typically on sun-exposed skin but can also occur inside the mouth or the genitalia)

Melanoma develops in the cells that make pigment in the skin. It is the most serious type of skin cancer and the most common form of cancer for adults between 25-29 years old. It can spread quickly through lymph nodes to the internal organs, but when diagnosed and treated early, has a high cure rate.

Signs of melanoma are:

• A growing mole that changes shape, color or size
• A mole that bleeds or is painful
• A new “mole” that grows rapidly
• A dark streak or black discoloration of the fingernail

The risks factors for developing nonmelanoma skin cancer include:

• Exposure to arsenic
• Fair skin
• Heavy UV exposure
• History of radiation therapy
• Immunosuppression
• Indoor tanning bed use
• Multiple blistering sunburns
• Northern European ancestry
• Prior skin cancer diagnosis
• Some forms of the HPV virus

Individuals at higher risk of melanoma include those with:

• Red or blonde hair
• Blue or green eyes
• Many atypical moles
• A first-degree relative with a history of melanoma
• A previous diagnosis of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer(s)

Sun exposure can damage your skin during any season, but summer rays are more harmful and can raise the risk of developing skin cancer.

Tips for smart sun care include:

• Use sunscreen daily. Look for a "broad spectrum" sunscreen that protects against both UVB light and UVA rays.
• Opt for water-resistant products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 on an average day, whether bright or cloudy. Choose a higher SPF for outdoor activities, especially swimming and exercise.
• Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply at least every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
• Wear sunglasses, use SPF 15-30 lip balm and reapply often.
• Wear sun-protective clothing.
• Minimize sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Seek shade.
• Avoid tanning bed use.
• See your dermatologist for a yearly skin exam.

During this procedure, a specially trained surgeon removes thin layers of skin in stages and examines them under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells. The process is repeated until no cancer cells remain. Mohs is used for certain types of skin cancer on the head, neck, feet and genitalia. It offers the highest cure rates (up to 99 percent for certain skin cancers) and leads to the best possible cosmetic result.

The resource listed below provides additional information about Mohs Micrographic Surgery:

• https://www.skincancermohssurgery.org/

The University of Chicago Medicine provides links to other organizations as a service to our site visitors. We are not responsible for information or services provided on other websites.

During this procedure, the skin cancer is excised along with a standard amount of normal-appearing skin. This may be used for melanoma and small nonmelanoma skin cancers on the torso and extremities.

This procedure involves scraping the cancerous growth with a curette and cauterizing the area to destroy residual tumor and to control bleeding. This may be effective for a subtype of basal cell carcinoma and very early squamous cell carcinoma.