The Different Types of Skin Cancer Explained

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer worldwide, but it’s also one of the most preventable and treatable—especially when detected early. Understanding the different types of skin cancer can help you recognize warning signs quickly and take the right steps to protect your skin. Each type has unique characteristics, risks, and behaviors, so knowing the differences is essential for prevention and early intervention.

This article breaks down the most common and rare forms of skin cancer, their appearance, and what you should look out for.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common—and fortunately, the least dangerous—type of skin cancer. It grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. However, it can cause significant skin damage if left untreated.

What It Looks Like

A shiny, pearly bump or nodule
A pink or red patch that doesn’t go away
A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
A scar-like area with a waxy or pale appearance

Where It Commonly Appears

Areas frequently exposed to the sun:

Face
Ears
Neck
Scalp
Shoulders

Risk Factors

Chronic sun exposure
Fair skin
History of tanning beds
Older age

Though BCC is rarely life-threatening, early treatment is important to prevent deep tissue damage.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. It grows faster than basal cell carcinoma and can sometimes spread if ignored.

What It Looks Like

Scaly, rough patches
A firm red bump
A crusted or thickened lesion
A sore that doesn’t heal
Wart-like growths

Where It Commonly Appears

Face
Hands
Ears
Lips
Scalp
Areas with previous burns, scars, or chronic wounds

Risk Factors

Long-term UV exposure
Weakened immune system
Smoking
Precancerous growths like actinic keratosis

SCC is highly treatable when caught early, but it requires prompt medical attention due to its higher risk of spread.

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Though less common, it can spread rapidly to other organs if not detected early. Melanoma originates in melanocytes—the pigment-producing cells of the skin.

What It Looks Like

Melanoma often follows the ABCDE Rule:

A – Asymmetry: One side doesn’t match the other
B – Border: Edges are irregular or blurred
C – Color: Multiple colors—brown, black, red, white, or blue
D – Diameter: Larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)
E – Evolving: Changes in size, color, shape, or elevation

Where It Commonly Appears

Trunk (men)
Legs (women)
Neck and face
Sometimes in areas with little sun exposure

Risk Factors

Family history of melanoma
Having many moles or atypical moles
Severe sunburns in childhood
Fair skin and light-colored eyes
Genetic predisposition

Melanoma requires immediate medical evaluation and treatment. Detecting it early dramatically increases survival rates.

Less Common Types of Skin Cancer

Although rarer, these types are important to recognize.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma is aggressive and tends to spread quickly. It usually appears as a painless, firm, shiny nodule.

Common Locations

Face
Head
Neck

Key Risks

Older age
Suppressed immune system
Heavy sun exposure

This form of cancer requires urgent specialist treatment.

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP)

DFSP is a slow-growing cancer that originates in the connective tissue.

What It Looks Like

A firm bump
A raised patch that grows slowly over months or years

Although rare, DFSP can invade deeper tissues and requires surgical removal.

Kaposi Sarcoma

Kaposi sarcoma develops from the cells lining blood vessels. It is linked to the herpesvirus HHV-8 and commonly affects people with weakened immune systems.

Appearance