Skin Cancer, Melanoma, Condition

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world.* There are several types of non-melanoma skin cancers:

Basal cell carcinoma – occurs in the lower most layer of your skin. It usually develops in skin areas exposed to the sun. This cancer is very slow growing and usually does not spread to other parts of your body. About 75% of skin cancers are diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma – occurs in the top layer of your skin. This cancer is also slow growing but left untreated could spread. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for about 20% of diagnosed skin cancers.

Symptoms of non-melanoma skin cancers can include a lump or area of skin that does not heal. Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a flat, scab-like lesion that does not heal.
Causes of skin cancer can include:

A family history of skin cancer
Sun damaged skin
Having very fair skin (easily sun burned)
Regular use of sunbeds or sunlamps
Excessive number of moles or freckles

Our specialist consultants in dermatology can quickly diagnose and treat skin cancer.

To read about other rarer types of skin cancer visit the MacMillan Cancer Support website.

*Source: NHS Choices

Related tests and scans

Dermoscope

A dermoscope is a microscope like device used by dermatologists to examine individual skin lesions more closely.

Excisional biopsy

An excisional biopsy may be done if a needle biopsy can not be used, or if a needle biopsy does not give a definite result.

Fine needle biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove and examine a sample of tissue from a lump or suspicious area of the body.

Image guided aspiration and biopsy

Itching (Pruritus) Assessment

Itching (pruritus) is an unpleasant sensation causing you to respond by scratching.

Mole assessment

Over the past 25 years, rates of malignant melanoma in Britain have risen faster than any other common cancer.

Mole mapping

We provide a state of the art computer-assisted mole mapping and digital photo-dermoscopy surveillance service.

Related treatments and procedures

Dermatological surgery

Dermatological surgery includes benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) surgery of the skin.

Dermatopathology

A dermatopathologist is a specialist in dermatology and pathology. When a dermatologist takes a sample of your skin for analysis and diagnosis, the sample is often examined by a dermatopathologist under a microscope.

Excision of skin lesion

Skin lesions are found on or just below the skin. Examples of skin lesions are epidermoid cysts, lipomata (benign tumour of fatty tissue), skin tags and moles.

Mohs micrographic surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is an advanced surgical technique for removing skin cancers.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a technique for treating skin cancers and sun-damaged skin which could turn cancerous if left untreated.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy particles or waves, such as X-rays, gamma rays or protons, to destroy or damage cancer cells.

Skin assessment clinic

Our experienced consultants can visually assess skin lesions and (if necessary) scan them using state-of-the-art scanning equipment to analyse and detect even the smallest changes. The procedure is painless, quick and safe.

Skin cancer surgery

There are several types of surgery for skin cancer. In the first instance your consultant may want to perform an excisional biopsy to confirm the cancer and remove it.

Skin grafts for leg ulcers

During this treatment, a small piece of skin is grafted from another area of your body onto a leg ulcer.

Skin pigmentation

Treatment of disorders of pigmentation of the skin.

Skin surgery

Many of our hospitals offer surgery for benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) conditions of the skin.

Skin cancer