Which type of skin cancer is the most common?

Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common types of skin cancer. They begin in the basal and squamous layers of the skin, respectively. Melanoma, the third most common type of skin cancer, begins in the melanocytes.

Should I worry about squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive. Untreated, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow large or spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.

What are the worst skin cancers?

Melanoma is often called “the most serious skin cancer” because it has a tendency to spread. Melanoma can develop within a mole that you already have on your skin or appear suddenly as a dark spot on the skin that looks different from the rest. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

What are the treatments for skin cancer?

Surgery is the most common treatment for skin cancer. It can be done in a variety of ways. Cryotherapy destroys cancer cells by using liquid nitrogen to freeze them. It is a very quick way of treating small, low-risk skin cancers, such as superficial BCCs.

How to treat skin cancer?

Freezing. Your doctor may destroy actinic keratoses and some small,early skin cancers by freezing them with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery). The dead tissue sloughs off when it thaws.

Excisional surgery. This type of treatment may be appropriate for any type of skin cancer. Your doctor cuts out (excises) the cancerous tissue and a surrounding margin of healthy skin.

Mohs surgery. This procedure is for larger,recurring or difficult-to-treat skin cancers,which may include both basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

Curettage and electrodesiccation or cryotherapy. After removing most of a growth,your doctor scrapes away layers of cancer cells using a device with a circular blade (curet).

Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams,such as X-rays,to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be an option when cancer can’t be completely removed during surgery.

Chemotherapy. In chemotherapy,drugs are used to kill cancer cells. For cancers limited to the top layer of skin,creams or lotions containing anti-cancer agents may be applied directly to

Photodynamic therapy. This treatment destroys skin cancer cells with a combination of laser light and drugs that makes cancer cells sensitive to light.

Biological therapy. Biological therapy uses your body’s immune system to kill cancer cells.

Is surgery a common treatment for skin cancer?

Surgery is a common treatment for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers. Different surgical techniques can be used. The options depend on the type of skin cancer, how large the cancer is, where it is on the body, and other factors.