Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Nonmelanoma skin cancer includes all skin cancers that are not melanoma. The two most common types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which make up almost all cases. Other nonmelanoma skin cancers exist but are rare.
Treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancer varies based on the specific type diagnosed. Most often, doctors recommend surgery to remove the cancerous cells. The surgical approach may differ depending on the cancer’s size, location, and severity.
Types
There are many different kinds of skin cancer. Here are some of the main types:
- Basal cell carcinoma – the most common form of skin cancer.
- Squamous cell carcinoma – the second most common type.
- Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma – a cancer affecting B cells in the skin.
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma – a rare cancer that begins in T cells.
- Merkel cell carcinoma – a rare but aggressive skin cancer.
- Angiosarcoma – a rare cancer that forms in blood vessels.
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans – a rare skin cancer that grows slowly.
- Sebaceous carcinoma – a rare cancer that starts in oil glands.
Signs and Symptoms
Nonmelanoma skin cancer typically appears on sun-exposed areas of the body. Common locations include the scalp, face, ears, neck, chest, arms, and hands. These cancers can also develop in less exposed areas like the lips, fingers, fingernails, and genital regions.
Watch for these changes in your skin:
- New growths
- Changes in existing skin spots (shape or color differences)
- Itching, pain, or bleeding skin spots
- Crusting on the skin
- Sores that don’t heal or repeatedly return
When You Should Contact a Doctor
Make an appointment with a healthcare provider if you notice any concerning skin changes. Don’t wait if you see unusual spots, persistent sores, or changes in existing moles or growths. Early detection is valuable for effective treatment.
Causes
Nonmelanoma skin cancer starts when skin cells undergo DNA changes. DNA contains the instructions that regulate cell growth and death cycles. When DNA operates normally, cells grow at a controlled rate and die when necessary.
Changes in DNA disrupt this balance. Affected cells multiply rapidly and don’t die when they should. This leads to an excess of cells that can form new growths or change existing spots on the skin.
UV light is the primary factor behind DNA damage in skin cells. This light comes from:
- Sunlight
- Tanning lamps
- Tanning beds
However, UV exposure doesn’t explain all cases, particularly cancers that develop on skin rarely exposed to sunlight. Other factors can increase risk, though the exact cause isn’t always clear.
When cell DNA becomes damaged, it receives incorrect instructions. Instead of following normal growth patterns, these cells:
- Multiply quickly without stopping
- Continue living when they should naturally die
- Form growths or masses on the skin
- Change the appearance of existing skin spots
The body normally repairs minor DNA damage, but repeated exposure to harmful elements overwhelms this repair system, potentially leading to cancer development.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase your chance of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer:
- Sun Exposure: Spending too much time in the sun without protection raises your risk. Using tanning beds and getting severe sunburns also increases danger to your skin.
- Skin Type: People with less melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color) face higher risks. Those with light-colored eyes, blond or red hair, and skin that burns or freckles easily are most vulnerable. However, people of all skin colors can develop skin cancer.
- History of Skin Cancer: If you’ve had skin cancer before, you’re more likely to get it again. A family history of skin cancer may also increase your risk.
| Risk Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Immune-suppressing medications | Medicines that reduce immune system function (like those used after organ transplants) significantly increase skin cancer risk |
| Radiation therapy | Previous radiation treatments for skin conditions like acne can raise risk in treated areas |
| Age | The chance of developing certain nonmelanoma skin cancers increases as you get older |
| Genetic factors | Some rare inherited conditions can make skin cancer more likely |
- Medications that affect immunity pose a significant risk. People who take drugs to prevent organ rejection after transplants have a much higher chance of developing these cancers.
- Previous radiation treatment areas may develop skin cancer years later, especially if the treatment was for skin conditions.
- Age plays an important role in skin cancer development. As people get older, their skin cancer risk typically increases due to lifetime sun exposure and natural aging processes.
- Some inherited genetic conditions can make a person more susceptible to nonmelanoma skin cancers, though these are uncommon compared to other risk factors.
