It shows up when cells in the epidermis grow at an out-of-control rate.
These abnormal cells are usually because of exposure to the sun.
It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70.
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This article discusses what skin cancer looks like.
It also provides photos of the early signs of the most common types of skin cancer.
This damage usually comes from the sun or tanning beds.
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Actinic keratosis is very common, affecting more than 58 million Americans.
Actinic keratosis is not cancerous but can become dangerous over time.
About 40% to 60% of squamous cell cancer cases begin as actinic keratosis.
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Actinic keratosis usually appears as a patch of dry, scaly skin.
It is brought on by the out-of-control growth of thesquamous cellsin the epidermis.
About 1 million Americans are diagnosed with SCC each year.
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Squamous cell carcinomas are curable and can usually be removed completely when caught early.
Squamous cell carcinomas most often form on areas of the skin that receive the most sunlight.
SCC growths look like thick patches of rough, scaly skin.
These cancers may also look like warts or sores that never heal.
The skin around an SCC growth may show signs of sun damage like wrinkling and darker pigment.
They can bleed or itch as well.
Basal cell carcinomausually looks like a small open sore.
It can be red or pink in fair-skinned people and brown in people with dark skin.
It may present as a red patch or bump on the skin.
BCC often has a raised or rolled border around the sore and may bleed or crust over.
BCC may also look like a shiny, pearl-like growth or waxy scar with undefined borders.
The area may itch, be painful, or have no symptoms at all.
Fortunately, BCC typically grows slowly and is very treatable.
When caught early, the treatments are effective.
Melanoma growths usually look likemolesthat are brown or black.
They can sometimes grow out of a previously benign (noncancerous) mole.
Melanoma growths are related to sun exposure but can grow in areas that dont receive much sunlight.
It causes abnormal tissue growths under the skin that look like red and purple lesions.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Merkel cell canceris a rare, aggressive form of skin cancer.
Each year about 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with Merkel cell cancer, and it causes 700 deaths annually.
It is 40 times rarer than melanoma and is more likely to spread and return once treated.
Merkel cell cancers usually look like firm, painless bumps or sores.
They are found on sun-exposed areas of the body, especially the head, neck, and eyelids.
The growths look like pearly pimple-like lumps and may be difficult to recognize.
They can be pink, red, or purplish-blue.
Unlike other forms of skin cancer, Merkel cell cancer is associated with a virus called the Merkel cellpolyomavirus.
Its unclear how much having the virus raises your risk.
This is because the virus is very common, while Merkel cell cancer is quite rare.
This cancer looks like a small, round, painless tumor on the upper or lower eyelid.
Sometimes the tumor is only visible when you pull the bottom of your eyelid down.
If caught early, most skin cancers are treatable.
Squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanomas are the main punch in of skin cancers.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic keratosis.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma.
American Cancer Society.What are basal and squamous cell skin cancers?
Moffitt Cancer Center.Types of squamous cell carcinoma.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma treatment.
BC Cancer.Basal cell carcinoma.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of skin cancer.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Merkel cell carcinoma.
American Academy of Dermatology.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma.
