The Three Types Of Skin Cancer

There are three types of skin cancer.

 Basal cell carcinomas most often occur on the face, neck, V-shaped area of the chest, and upper back.  These are the parts of the body that are often exposed to the sun.  They can sometimes look like a sore or a pimple that will not heal, and can ooze yellowish fluid. This can scab over, and then break down and start ozzining. If you stretch the skin, this type of skin cancer can have a pearly gray look. If looked at with a magnifying glass, inside the tumor tiny blood vessels are visible.

Squamous cell carcinomas also appear most often on the face, neck, V-shaped area of the chest, and upper back.  Squamous cell carcinomas are more likely than basal cell carcinomas to form on the top of the arms and hands. They have the appearance of an inflamed pinkish or reddish scaly growth. This growth will feel tender. Some of these growths may break open repeatedly. They will bleed and crust, but never fully heal.

Malignant melanomas are usually formed between the neck and the hips (the trunk) or the legs. Although these areas do not get constant sun exposure, they do get intense exposure and sun burn periodically. They can form from a pre-existing mole or freckle, or spontaneously grow from a normal appearing area of skin. The moles and freckles have a clear-cut edge and are usually light to dark brown. They are usually multi-colored. The growth may include different shades of brown and black, and sometimes have areas of red, white or blue.  They often bleed. This is the most deadly type of skin cancer.