Skin Cancer

Conditions and Treatments

Three major types of skin cancer are basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. Basal (BAY-sul) cell cancers rarely spread and most can be successfully treated. Squamous (SKWAY-mus) cell cancers have more potential for spreading but are almost always treatable with early diagnosis. Both basal and squamous cell cancers are superficial, slow growing and highly treatable, especially if found early. Melanoma is the most serious form of cancer among the three.  It can invade or involve deeper layers of the skin and has the greatest potential to spread to other tissues in the body.

All three types are increasing in incidence. People who are fair-skinned are at greatest risk but anyone can develop skin cancer, which is most commonly caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. In fact, nearly half of all Americans will develop a cancerous skin lesion at least once by the age of 65.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007