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Skin Cancer FAQ: Skin Cancer Types & Symptoms

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In 2014, nearly 77,000 people alone were diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. There are, however, several skin cancer types that are diagnosed each year. In this article, you’ll learn about the different skin cancer types and their symptoms as well as ways we diagnose and treat them.

What is Skin Cancer?

Like other cancers, skin cancer is an abnormal growth of cells. Though skin cancer is rarely fatal, it can be disfiguring both before and after treatment. Skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body but are most often found in areas of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the arms, face, ears, back of the neck, and even the back of the calves.

Skin Cancer Types & Symptoms

There are different types of skin cancer, and they have somewhat different signs and symptoms. Pre-cancerous growths and skin cancer types include:

Actinic Keratosis

Actinic keratosis is a precancerous condition, which means the cells can become malignant if the condition isn’t treated. It’s a patch of rough, scaly skin that most often appears on the scalp, neck, face, ears, forearms or other places that have a lot of sun exposure. Actinic keratosis is not painful, but it begins as a small red, pink or brown spot that gradually enlarges. It can be flat, somewhat bumpy or feel like a hard wart. Sometimes, it burns and itches. Since it is hard for a layperson to tell whether they have an actinic keratosis or something more benign, you should consult a dermatologist if you suspect the lesion might be precancerous.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. Like actinic keratosis, it is found on areas of the body most exposed to the sun, although it can appear anywhere. Basal cell carcinoma skin cancer symptoms include:

  • A lesion that has a dome that is pink or the color of your skin – You may be able to see tiny blood vessels inside of it. Sometimes, the center of the dome forms a crater, and the growth bleeds, oozes and then crusts over.
  • A patch of skin that is both shiny and scaly – You might think it is a patch of eczema. It is often red or pink.
  • A hard, pale growth that looks like a scar and has a waxy feel – It can be the color of your skin, yellow or pale.
  • A sore that doesn’t heal

Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly and rarely spreads to other organs in the body, but it is a cancer that can cause disfigurement if it is not treated promptly.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is different from basal cell carcinoma in that it can metastasize or invade other organs of your body. Squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer symptoms include:

  • A lump or bump that feels rough
  • Like basal cell carcinoma, this lesion can grow into a dome, bleed and crust over
  • A slowly growing scaly patch of skin that is reddish in color
  • A sore that doesn’t heal – In some cases, the sore heals but then reopens

Melanoma

melanoma skin cancer types
Melanoma –  National Institutes of Health

One person dies from melanoma every hour in the United States. It also claims the lives of very young people, even patients in their teens and early 20’s. Melanoma is often mistaken for a regular mole, but there are some distinct traits of malignant melanoma you can spot and have evaluated by a board-certified dermatologic surgeon right away:

  • Asymmetrical shape
  • Has more than one color
  • Has irregular or indistinct borders
  • Is bigger around than a pencil eraser and keeps growing
  • Itches, hurts, bleeds and doesn’t heal

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans

This is a rare type of skin cancer that starts in the deeper layers of the skin. It is slow-growing and rarely metastasizes. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans skin cancer symptoms include a little purplish bump that looks like a rough patch, a scar, a bump, or a birthmark. At first, it is not painful or tender. As it grows, the lesion becomes tender, bleeds and feels hard. It is more common in young people.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Merkel cell skin cancer is also rare. It appears as a nodule that is either bluish-red or the color of your skin. It’s most often found on your head, neck or face. Like melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma grows quickly and can metastasize. Some doctors believe that a virus called the Merkel cell polyomavirus has a role in causing this cancer.

Sebaceous Carcinoma

This cancer is also uncommon but is one of the skin cancer types that can be aggressive. It usually starts on your eyelid as a painless round lesion. It can also develop in a sebaceous gland, which lubricates your hair and skin. It is also called a Meibomian gland carcinoma.

Diagnosing Skin Cancer Types and Treatment Options in Indianapolis

At the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana, we diagnose and treat skin cancer in our Indianapolis dermatology practice. Our founder and board-certified dermatologic surgeon, Dr. C. William Hanke, is a leader in Mohs micrographic surgery and other common, effective skin cancer treatments. He was the president of the American College of Mohs Surgery, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and senior vice-president of the Skin Cancer Foundation, and he has authored peer-reviewed articles on the diagnosis and treatment of different skin cancer types. Our center is also a renowned clinical trials facility and is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.

It’s important to note that you are an integral part of your diagnosis and treatment. As stated above, early detection saves lives. That is why we urge everyone to do monthly skin checks at home. Additionally, a yearly skin check with a board-certified dermatologic surgeon is essential to check spots or areas that are less obvious. Your physician may encourage you to come in more frequently, depending on your skin condition, family history, or history of sun damage. Additionally, if you find a questionable spot on your skin, don’t wait until your yearly appointment to get it checked out by a professional. Call us and schedule a skin check so that Dr. Hanke can examine the spot and, if necessary, take a biopsy.

Finally, we will provide you with recommendations for effective sun protection, such as high-quality sunscreens, wide-brimmed hats, and even UV-protective clothing. Prevention, combined with routine skin checks, will help protect you against aggressive skin cancer types.

Schedule an Appointment With Dr. Hanke in Indianapolis

If you have a lump, a strange mole or a sore that simply won’t heal and are worried about skin cancer, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanke at the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana. With skin cancer, the sooner it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. Furthermore, if you haven’t had a routine skin check in over a year, it’s time to come in! Yearly skin checks help with early detection.