Different Types of Skin Cancer

There are many different types of skin cancer, each with its own cause and course of treatment. Primarily, skin cancer falls into three categories, which are melanoma, basal, and squamous cell.

Melanoma involves the cells which regulate skin pigment, whereas basal and squamous cell carcinomas involve cells that make up the subcutis, dermis, and epidermis of the skin. Melanoma is considered the most dangerous because it stands the greatest chance of spreading or metastasizing. The cells which control skin pigment are much closer to and therefore have greater access to lymph vessels, which can transport cancerous cells to other parts of the body.