Skin cancer (melanoma)

Types of skin cancer

There are three main types of skin cancer. The table below gives you a quick comparison of them.

Source:
Marghoob AA.
Basal and squamous cell carcinomas: what every primary care physician should know.
Postgraduate Medicine. 1997; 102: 139-42, 146, 152-4.

Source:
Lapka DV.
Skin cancer.
RN. 2000; 63: 32-39.

Source:
Jerant AF, Johnson JT, Sheridan CD, et al.
Early detection and treatment of skin cancer.
American Family Physician. 2000; 62: 357-368.

Source:
National Cancer Institute.
What you need to know about skin cancer.
Available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/skin (accessed on 18 August 2009).

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To read more about squamous cell skin cancer, see Skin cancer (squamous cell).

	Melanoma (skin cancer)	Squamous cell skin cancer	Basal cell skin cancer
How common is it?	Least common type of skin cancer	Second most common type	Most common type
How serious is it?	Most serious	Somewhat serious	Least serious
How do you get it?	Linked to bad sunburns	Linked to spending time in the sun over many years	Linked to being in the sun
Will it spread?	Most likely to spread	Can spread, but it's not likely to	Almost never spreads
How does it start?	Usually starts in a mole. The mole may bleed, change shape or color, itch, spread or turn into a scab	Usually shows up as a crusted lump on your skin	Usually shows up as small lumps on your head, neck and hands
How long does it take?	Can develop quickly	Takes many years to develop, but grows faster than basal cell skin cancer	Takes many years to develop
Who is at risk?	Younger people are most likely to get it	Older people are most likely to get it	Older people are most likely to get it

Sources for the information on this page:

Marghoob AA.Basal and squamous cell carcinomas: what every primary care physician should know.Postgraduate Medicine. 1997; 102: 139-42, 146, 152-4.

Lapka DV.Skin cancer.RN. 2000; 63: 32-39.

Jerant AF, Johnson JT, Sheridan CD, et al.Early detection and treatment of skin cancer.American Family Physician. 2000; 62: 357-368.

National Cancer Institute.What you need to know about skin cancer.Available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/skin (accessed on 18 August 2009).

This information was last updated on Oct 13, 2009

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