Skin Cancer Types

 
 

There are three most common form of skin cancers in Australia, namely:

  • Melanoma

  • Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and

  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

There are other types of skin cancers beyond these, however they are much rarer in comparison.

A dermoscopic (magnified) photo of a melanoma, showing many characteristic features of the skin cancer.

A dermoscopic (magnified) photo of a melanoma, showing many characteristic features of the skin cancer.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer, because if not detected early, it can spread to other regions of the body and be life threatening. The ABCDE criteria is one of many methods used to identify melanoma, however not all melanomas will satisfy this criteria. Melanomas can present in many ways, and may not necessarily demonstrate brown or black pigment, e.g. it can be skin coloured, pink or red. If there is any doubt about any of your spots, it is always best to get them checked by your doctor.

A - Asymmetry
B - Border irregularity (an “odd-shaped” spot)
C - Colour variation (i.e. multiple colours)
D - Diameter > 6mm
E - Evolving (a changing or enlarging spot)

 
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) presenting as a growing, red lump which is crusty and tender to touch.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) presenting as a growing, red lump which is crusty and tender to touch.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common form of skin cancer. It usually occurs on sun exposed area of the body e.g. head & neck (including ears & lips), chest, hands, forearms and legs. The main cause of this is UV damage, however other potential causes include smoking, arsenic, human papillomavirus (HPV), burns or chronic skin disease.

They can present in many ways, for example:
- A red or scaly lump, which may be tender to touch or bleed
- A scaly area, which may bleed or ulcerate
- A rash which doesn’t go away
- A non-healing sore

There is a risk of SCC spreading to other parts of the body if it gets to an advanced stage.

 
This basal cell carcinoma (BCC) did not look like much to the naked eye, but on dermoscopy reveals itself with its characteristic features.

This basal cell carcinoma (BCC) did not look like much to the naked eye, but on dermoscopy reveals itself with its characteristic features.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common but also least aggressive form of skin cancer. It is also usually found on sun exposed areas of the body.

A few examples of how it can present include:
- A growing lump (it may be red, pale or pearly; sometimes blue, brown or black)
- A scaly area, which may bleed or ulcerate
- A rash which doesn’t go away
- A non-healing sore
- A scar-like area or indentation with no history of trauma.

Rarely, BCCs can invade deeply and spread to local lymph nodes.