WellSkin

The first category is basal and squamous cell skin cancers. They’re most likely to develop on areas of your body that get the most sun, like your head and neck. They’re less likely than other forms of skin cancer to spread and become life-threatening. But if left untreated, they can grow larger and spread to other parts of your body.

Keratinocyte carcinoma is by far the most common cancer in the United States. Basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas account for approximately 80% and 20% of cases of KC, respectively. The term nonmelanoma skin cancer is commonly used to refer to squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas; however, other types of nonmelanoma skin cancer, such as adnexal tumors and sarcomas, are less common.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It is not the most common, but it is the most serious, as it often spreads. When this happens, it can be difficult to treat, and the outlook may be poor. Risk factors for melanoma include overexposure to the sun, having fair skin, and a family history of melanoma, among others.

It is a type of skin cancer that occurs when pigment producing cells called melanocytes mutate and begin to divide uncontrollably. Most pigment cells develop in the skin. Melanomas can develop anywhere on the skin, but certain areas are more at risk than others. In men, it is most likely to affect the chest and back. In women, the legs are the most common site. Other common sites of melanoma include the face. However, melanoma can also occur in the eyes and other parts of the body, including — on very rare occasions — the intestines. It is relatively rare in people with darker skin.