Skin cancer tends to be used as a broad term. However, what one may not know is that there are several different types of skin cancer out there. The type of skin cancer one has will depend on one’s symptoms and the type & level of treatment they may require.
Below are some of the main types of skin cancer.
Nodular Basal Cell Skin Cancer
What's Inside
Nodular skin cancer is the most common subtype of basal cell skin cancer. It is characterized by a lustrous, sometimes pink or red, bump on the skin that refuses to go away on its own. It’s often found in the eyes, ears, or mouth. It can also form internally on the brain or on a bone. Its slow growth of about 1 cm a year makes it sometimes go unnoticed for some time.
The good news is, that nodular skin cancer rarely spreads to other areas of the body and is relatively easy to treat.
Pigmented Basal Cell Skin Cancer
While not as common as the latter, this basal cell skin cancer subtype is still a well-known type of skin cancer. It is also a type of nodular basal cell skin cancer. It involves a tumor with increased pigmentation, often multi-toned, with irregular edges.
Some common symptoms of this category of basal cell skin cancer include itching, burning, and light sensitivity on the affected area.
Squamous Cell Skin Cancer
As the second most common type of skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer features fast, unusual cellular growth. This type of cancer may develop on the lips, ears, or back of one’s hand, for instance- typically in areas where sun exposure is common but not always. They tend to appear like open wounds, and they may be crusty and bleed often.
An unfortunate aspect of squamous cell skin cancer is that it can, indeed, spread to other parts of the body, including the organs. It can grow slowly; however, it can also grow deep. If caught on time, it can be managed and gotten rid of before it affects larger areas and becomes more serious.
Morphoeic Basal Cell Skin Cancer
In the beginning, one might assume morphoeic basal cell skin cancer is a wound. Over time, they may notice it isn’t healing and is, therefore, a cause for concern. Most often, this type of skin cancer appears in the middle of the face.
Fortunately, it is rare for morphoeic basal cell skin cancer to spread to other parts of the body. However, when it does spread, it often spreads to lymph nodes and can even make its way to the lungs and bones if not treated promptly enough.
Whether it be mole removal Utah or chemotherapy cream, for instance, there are several different treatment options out there for different varieties of skin cancer.
Conclusion
Skin cancer isn’t one and the same for everyone. One may notice different symptoms and intensities of those symptoms from another person. In the end, a lot of it comes down to the type of skin cancer and how progressed it has gotten. The type of skin cancer one has can most definitely impact one’s symptoms, overall experience, and the kind of treatment they may need.
