Cancer Types
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Read more about the most common types of cancers in the article below.
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Common Cancer Types

Skin cancer can be described as abnormal skin cell growth. If left alone, skin cancer can spread throughout the body into other tissues and organs causing serious damage. There are many different types of cancers, but below are the three of the more common types.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and occurs in 1 of 5 Americans. Over 1,000,000 people will be diagnosed with a basal cell carcinoma this year. It is normally found on sun exposed areas such as the face, neck, scalp, shoulder, back, arms and hands. This type of skin cancer does not typically spread to the blood or lymph. Detection of this type of skin cancer is somewhat difficult because it can often mimic an infected hair, pimple, sore or mole. The forms of treatment for this type of skin cancer include MOHS' surgery, radiation, electrodesiccation and curettage and topical immunomodulators. All of these forms of treatment are offered at The Skin Cancer Treatment Center. Early detection is vital to minimize scarring left by the removal process.

Malignant Melanoma

Malignant Melanoma is the most aggressive of the skin cancers and has the potential to spread to blood, lymph and other organs rapidly. This type of skin cancer most commonly occurs on the backs of men and the legs of women, but can be found ANYWHERE on the body (scalp, groin, buttocks, bottoms of the feet, and between the toes). It is not limited to sun exposed areas. Most often Melanoma is an asymmetrical dark brown or black flat lesion with irregular borders. The treatment for this type of skin cancer is multi-faceted and determined by the stage of the presenting lesion. The Skin Cancer Treatment Center provides treatment for early malignant melanoma; however, larger more involved melanomas may be referred to other physicians for appropriate treatment. Early detection is crucial in determining the prognosis for patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer and is also typically found on sun exposed areas. This type of skin cancer does have the potential to spread to the blood, lymph, and other organs. It generally starts as a precancerous lesion called and actinic keratosis. If left untreated, 20% of actinic keratosis will develop into a squamous cell carcinoma. These skin cancers are treated with MOHS' surgery, radiation, electrodesiccation and curettage and topical immunomodulators. All of these forms of treatment are offered at The Skin Cancer Treatment Center. Again, early detection is vital to minimize scarring left by the removal process.