Skin cancer

Note: The information on cancer types on the ACRF website is not designed to provide medical or professional advice and is for information only. If you have any health problems or questions please consult your doctor.

Overview

Skin cancer develops when skin cells go through a dynamic change that makes them cancerous.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the major skin cancer cause, especially when overexposure to UV radiation results in sunburn and blistering. Other less common causes of skin cancer include repeated exposure to x-rays, and industrial compounds like coal tar and arsenic.

Skin cancers are named after the type of cell they develop from. The most common forms are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer – these are sometimes called non-melanoma skin cancer. The third type of skin cancer is melanoma.

More than 374,000 Australians annually are diagnosed with basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma incidence in Australia and New Zealand is four times higher than in Canada, the UK and the US.

Basal cell skin cancers appear like a small, slow growing shiny pink or red lump and if left, become crusty, ulcerate and bleed. They are commonly found on the face, scalp, ears, hands, shoulders and back.

Squamous cell skin cancers are commonly pink lumps and look like a red patch. Most commonly they are found on women’s legs, however they can appear anywhere.

Melanoma begins in melanocytes, the skin cells producing the melanin pigment that produces moles, freckles and skin tan. Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, and one of the most aggressive of all cancers.

Melanoma may arise directly from a melanocyte, when it turns into a normal mole or an irregular mole, which then becomes cancerous.

Nodular melanoma is highly dangerous as it grows in depth very rapidly and can be life threatening if not detected and moved quickly.

Skin cancer treatment

Basal cell carcinomas are highly curable and treatments include curettage and electrodesiccation, radiation therapy, standard excision, Mohs surgery.

Most squamous cell carcinomas can be cured with minor surgery.

All melanomas are removed surgically. When melanoma is at an early stage, limited to the skin, it can often be removed with a simple surgical excision, with a skin graft often used to replace the skin removed.

Treatment for more advanced skin cancer commonly uses a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Biological therapies, which use substances occurring naturally in the body to stimulate the immune system, are also used to treat melanoma. Work is underway to develop a melanoma vaccine.

If skin cancer has spread and a cure is not possible, your doctor may discuss palliative treatments for pain relief.