Medical Health Tests Articles Health Articles

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, especially in the United States of America. One out of every five Americans is diagnosed with skin cancer. Every year there are new cases that are identified linking skin cancer to other terminal cancers.

Caucasians are most susceptible to skin cancer. If you have light skin, are prone to skin burns, have a history of burns or like tanning booths, you might have a higher chance of contracting skin cancer. If you spot unexplained lesions or moles that enlarge or reduce on their own, you should seek a professional's opinion.

Different Types of Skin Cancers

There are different types of skin cancers that have been identified. Skin cancer is basically divided into the really harmful kind of cancer that is called melanoma and non-malignant kind of skin cancer. The non-malignant type of skin cancer is very common. The most commonly occurring are:

• Basal cell carcinoma - this type of cancer is usually a result of excessive exposure of the skin to the sun. The carcinoma tends to be pigmented and with a border. Though rarely fatal, it can cause disfigurement. This is most common form of skin cancer.
• Squamous cell carcinoma - this is the second most common form of skin cancer, found especially in Caucasians. This melanoma looks like a scab that does not heal. The scab could also occasionally bleed. This type of skin cancer has been known to cause fatalities.

These two types are the most commonly appearing skin cancer. These cancers appear on the face, neck, chest, lips, arms and legs. But these are not the only type of cancers that can kill you. There are some more skin cancers that have been identified and are often fatal if not treated in time.

Fatal Skin Cancers

• Lentigo Maligna Melanoma - This type of cancer occurs in elderly and is found as patches on the scalp and the neck. This melanoma often remains a superficial mark and sometimes can spread across organs. It is also known as Hutchinson Melanotic freckle.
• Superficial Spreading Type - This type of skin cancer is found on legs, trunk and upper arms in the form of asymmetrical pigmentation. This form of skin cancer is quite dangerous and appears in the form of lesions that spread horizontally.
• Nodular melanoma - This melanoma appears as a patch but soon becomes a raised nodule. The raised nodule can penetrate deeper into the skin and metastasize rapidly. This type of cancer is associated with excessive sun exposure the most, as compared to the other forms of skin cancer.

Reference

• http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001827/