North Carolina summers offer endless opportunities to play, shop, eat, explore — and develop skin cancer. Unfortunately, fun in the sun has a price.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, but it’s not just a single condition; it comes in various types, and they each require a different treatment.
Our specialists at Sanford Dermatology want all North Carolinians to know the basics about skin cancer, so we’ve written this overview to help you spot the signs.
Like all cancers, skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. It occurs when DNA damage — usually caused by UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds — triggers mutations that cause skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors.
Here’s a look at the six main types of skin cancer.
Actinic keratoses (AK) look like rough, scaly patches on your skin. As with most types of skin cancer, the culprit is prolonged exposure to UV radiation. AKs pop up wherever the sun hits your skin — face, ears, neck, scalp, chest, hands, forearms, or lips.
Though not exactly cancer, actinic keratoses can evolve into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.
Treatment options include topical medications, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. Early treatment can prevent AKs from progressing to skin cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It originates in the basal cells — cells within your skin that produce new skin cells as old ones die off. BCC often appears as a waxy bump but can take other forms, such as a flat, flesh-colored lesion or a brown, scar-like lesion.
BCC typically appears on sun-exposed areas, especially the face and neck. While it rarely spreads to other body parts, it can damage surrounding tissue if not treated promptly.
Treatment options for BCC include surgical methods such as Mohs surgery and excisional surgery and less invasive procedures like curettage, electrodesiccation, or cryotherapy.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) occurs in the squamous cells that make up your skin's middle and outer layers. It’s the second most common type of skin cancer and usually appears as a firm, red nodule or a flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface.
SCC can develop anywhere, including your mucous membranes and genitals, but it’s most common in sun-exposed areas. Unlike BCC, SCC has a high risk of spreading to other body parts.
Treatment options include excisional surgery, Mohs surgery, curettage and electrodesiccation, and cryotherapy. If you have an advanced case, you may need radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Melanoma develops in the cells that give your skin its pigment. It’s the most dangerous type and can occur anywhere, but it usually affects the face or trunk of men and the lower legs of women.
Early signs of melanoma include changes in existing moles or the development of new growths. The ABCDE rule helps identify potential melanomas:
Treatment options for melanoma include surgical excision, Mohs surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer that starts in the Merkel cells, found in the top layer of your skin. It’s typically a painless, firm, and rapidly growing nodule, often on sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, and scalp.
MCC often goes hand in hand with immunosuppression and can spread quickly to nearby lymph nodes. You have a higher risk for MCC if you’re over 50, have a weakened immune system, or have a history of UV exposure.
Treatment options for MCC usually involve surgical excision, radiation therapy, and, in some cases, chemotherapy or immunotherapy, particularly for advanced stages.
Sebaceous cell carcinoma is another rare and often aggressive skin cancer that arises from the sebaceous glands that produce oil.
This type of carcinoma typically presents as a painless lump, often mistaken for other benign skin lesions on the face, scalp, or neck.
Treatment usually involves complete surgical excision of the tumor. In advanced cases, radiation or chemotherapy may be necessary.
Our Sanford Dermatology team has years of experience diagnosing and treating skin cancer. Our skilled physicians tackle all types with:
If you suspect skin cancer, don’t wait — call Sanford Dermatology in Sanford, Pittsboro, or Lillington, North Carolina, today.
