Skin Cancer Summary Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common. Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in people who Spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned Have light-colored skin, hair and eyes Have a family member with skin cancer Are over age 50 You should have your doctor check any suspicious skin markings and any changes in the way your skin looks. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and biologic therapy. PDT uses a drug and a type of laser light to kill cancer cells. Biologic therapy boosts your body’s own ability to fight cancer. NIH: National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Health Check Tools “Suntelligence” Survey American Academy of Dermatology Related Issues Actinic Cheilitis Logical Images Actinic Keratosis Logical Images Anyone Can Get Skin Cancer National Cancer Institute Risks of Skin Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute Sunscreens FAQs American Academy of Dermatology Array Actinic keratosis Basal cell carcinoma Mohs micrographic surgery Skin lesion biopsy Skin self-exam Squamous cell skin cancer Find an Expert American Academy of Dermatology American Academy of Dermatology American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology Find a Dermatologic Surgeon American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Find a Dermatologist American Academy of Dermatology National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Organizations That Offer Support Services National Cancer Institute Specifics Basal Cell Carcinoma American Academy of Dermatology Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) American Academy of Dermatology Eyelid Cancer American Society of Clinical Oncology General Information about Merkel Cell Carcinoma National Cancer Institute Merkel Cell Carcinoma American Academy of Dermatology Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome American Society of Clinical Oncology Sebaceous Carcinoma American Academy of Dermatology Skin Cancer of the Hand and Upper Extremity American Society for Surgery of the Hand Skin Cancers of the Feet American Podiatric Medical Association Squamous Cell Carcinoma American Academy of Dermatology Images Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Logical Images Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Logical Images Encyclopedia Basal cell nevus syndrome Prevention and Risk Factors Behavioral Counseling to Prevent Skin Cancer U.S. Preventive Services Task Force How to Check Your Skin for Skin Cancer National Cancer Institute Skin Cancer Prevention National Cancer Institute Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer Array Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Carcinoma, Basal Cell National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Carcinoma, Merkel Cell National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Keratosis, Actinic National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Skin Neoplasms National Institutes of Health Treatments and Therapies Cryosurgery in Cancer Treatment: Questions and Answers National Cancer Institute Drugs Approved for Skin Cancer National Cancer Institute Electrodesiccation Logical Images Mohs Micrographic Surgery Logical Images Radiation Therapy for Skin Cancer American Society for Radiation Oncology Skin Cancer Treatment National Cancer Institute Treatment Option Overview (Merkel Cell Carcinoma) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options by Stage (Merkel Cell Carcinoma) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options for Actinic Keratosis National Cancer Institute Treatment Options for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer National Cancer Institute Reference Desk Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute Statistics and Research For Some Skin Cancers, Targeted Drug Hits the Mark National Cancer Institute Skin Cancer American Academy of Dermatology Skin Cancer Trends Centers for Disease Control and Prevention What’s New in Research and Treatment of Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers? American Cancer Society Genetics Genetics Home Reference: 9q22.3 microdeletion National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Gorlin syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: xeroderma pigmentosum National Library of Medicine Learning about Skin Cancer National Human Genome Research Institute Diagnosis and Tests How Are Squamous and Basal Cell Skin Cancers Diagnosed? American Cancer Society Skin Biopsy Logical Images Skin Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute Stages of Merkel Cell Carcinoma National Cancer Institute Stages of Skin Cancer National Cancer Institute Journal Articles Skin Cancer NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Quiz: Test Your Skin Cancer IQ Skin Cancer Can Strike Anyone Skin Cancer: Biology, Risk Factors & Treatment Skin Cancer: NIH Research to Results Start Here Skin Cancer American Academy of Family Physicians Sun and Skin: The Dark Side of Sun Exposure National Institutes of Health What You Need to Know about Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers National Cancer Institute Seniors Skin Cancer National Cancer Institute Patient Handouts What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy National Cancer Institute Living With What Will Happen After Treatment for Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers? American Cancer Society Latest News Home Remedy for Skin Cancer May Cause Damage, Mask New Growth HealthDay Some Smart Yet Easy Ways to Shield Yourself from Skin Cancer HealthDay Drug Shows Promise Against Rare, Aggressive Skin Cancer HealthDay ‘Sunscreen’ Gene May Guard Against Skin Cancer HealthDay