Melanoma Center of Hope - What is Skin Cancer?

Patient Education

What is Cancer? A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. (NCI)
What is Skin Cancer? Cancer that forms in tissues of the skin. (NCI)
What are the Different Types of Skin Cancer? Melanoma: Melanoma is a cancer of the skin. It begins when color-producing cells called melanocytes become abnormal, grow uncontrollably, and eventually form a tumor. (ASCO) Basal cell: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. These cancers arise in the basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis (top skin layer). (SKF) Squamous cell: Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer (after basal cell carcinoma).This form of skin cancer arises in the squamous cells that make up most of the skin’s upper layers (epidermis). (SKF)
How Many People are Diagnosed Each Year? Melanoma: During 2009 there are an estimated 68,720 new cases of melanoma and 8,650 deaths from melanoma in the United States. Basal cell: Approximately one million Americans each year are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. Squamos cell: More than 250,000 new cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are diagnosed every year in America. (SKF)