SunSkin Clinic

The Most Prevalent Type Of Skin Cancer

The most prevalent type of skin cancer is by far skin cancer. Knowing what form of skin cancer you have is crucial since it influences your treatment options and prognosis (prognosis). Ask your doctor if you are unsure of the type of skin cancer you have so that you can receive the appropriate guidance.

What is Skin Cancer?


The outermost skin layer, the epidermis, experiences unchecked cellular proliferation of abnormal cells known as skin cancer due to unrepaired DNA damage that leads to mutations. These mutations cause the skin cells to increase quickly and develop cancerous tumors. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma are the four main kinds of skin cancer (MCC).


Basal Cell Carcinoma

What Causes Skin Cancer?


The use of UV tanning beds and exposure to the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays are the two main causes of skin cancer. The good news is that skin cancer is likely to be completely eradicated if it is detected early by your dermatologist, who can treat it with little to no scarring. The doctor may frequently catch the development in a precancerous stage before it fully develops into skin cancer or penetrates beneath the skin’s surface.


Let’s discuss the types of skin cancers in detail below. Let’s begin. 

Types of Skin Cancer 


Following are the types of skin cancers.

Basal cell skin cancer


The basal cells are the origin of this type of skin cancer, which is extremely prevalent. This sort of cancer can be seen in the epidermis, the top layer of skin. Most of your skin’s exposed surface areas are most vulnerable to this cancer. Most persons who develop this malignancy are middle-aged or older, and clinicians even refer to it as a rodent ulcer. the following cancer subtypes:


  • superficial basal cell skin cancer

  • nodular basal cell skin cancer

  • pigmented basal cell skin cancer

  • morphoeic basal cell skin cancer

Squamous cell skin cancer


SCC typically grows more quickly than basal cell tumors. SCCs make up about 20 out of every 100 cases of skin cancer (20%). They start in keratinocytes, which are epidermis-found cells. The majority of SCCs grow on skin that has been exposed to the sun. These regions include the backs of your hands and forearms and some portions of the head and neck. Additionally, they may appear on skin sections containing scars, burn scars, or long-standing ulcers.

Melanoma


Anywhere on your body, in otherwise healthy skin, or in an already-existing mole that transforms into cancer. Men who are impacted by melanoma typically develop it on their faces or trunks. The lower legs are where this type of cancer most frequently appears in females. Melanoma can develop on skin that hasn’t been exposed to the sun in both men and women.

Less Common Skin Cancer Types


There are some rare types of skin cancers as well, which include:

Kaposi Sarcoma


A malignancy that arises from the cells that line lymphatic or blood arteries is known as Kaposi sarcoma (KS). These tumors can form in various bodily regions, such as the lymph nodes (bean-sized collections of immune cells throughout the body), the lungs, or the digestive tract. It typically manifests as tumors on the skin or mucosal surfaces, such as within the mouth.

Merkel Cell Cancer


Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare form of skin cancer. It begins when Merkel cells, which are skin cells, begin to increase uncontrollably. If MCC extends beyond the skin, it can be challenging to treat because of how quickly it grows.

Conclusion


These are the types of skin cancers you should know about. Knowing means you will get an idea at an early stage to visit a doctor. That way, you can get quick treatment right at the beginning. If you have common skin cancer, it will be easier for the doctor to give treatment. However, difficulties will increase if it’s rare cancer because it has developed way too much.