Skin cancer

Class of skin illnesses, tumor or cancer of the skin

Skin cancers are cancers that arise from the skin. They are due to the development of abnormal cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. It occurs when skin cells grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors. The primary cause of skin cancer is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning devices. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in humans. There are three main types of skin cancers: basal-cell skin cancer (BCC), squamous-cell skin cancer (SCC) and melanoma. The first two, along with a number of less common skin cancers, are known as nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Basal-cell cancer grows slowly and can damage the tissue around it but is unlikely to spread to distant areas or result in death. It often appears as a painless raised area of skin that may be shiny with small blood vessels running over it or may present as a raised area with an ulcer. Squamous-cell skin cancer is more likely to spread. It usually presents as a hard lump with a scaly top but may also form an ulcer. Melanomas are the most aggressive. Signs include a mole that has changed in size, shape, color, has irregular edges, has more than one color, is itchy or bleeds.

Also known as...

malignant neoplasm of skin, cancer of skin, CA - skin cancer, melanoma and Non-melanoma skin cancer, cancer of zone of skin, zone of skin cancer, malignant neoplasm of zone of skin, malignant zone of skin neoplasm, malignant tumor of skin, skin neoplasm, malignant, malignant neoplasm of the skin, skin cancer, including melanoma, malignant tumor of the skin, malignant skin neoplasm, skin cancer, NOS, and malignant skin tumor

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