There are many types of skin cancer, all of which can be a life-changing diagnosis. However, most of these cancers can be treated easily when detected early. Discover more about the skin cancer and melanoma treatments near you, along with the most common types of skin cancer and what they look like.
Common Skin Cancer Types
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is a relatively common type of skin cancer that looks like a slightly transparent bump in areas with lots of sun exposure, like the head and neck. It rarely spreads to other body parts, but should still be treated as soon as possible.
Dermatologists and oncologists usually treat basal cell carcinoma with surgery whenever possible.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
Another common type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma starts near the surface of the skin. It can look like a firm scab or sore on the skin, especially in places with lots of sun exposure. In many cases, squamous cell carcinoma does not have a high chance of spreading, especially when detected early.
Most squamous cell carcinomas can be treated with surgery, but some may require radiation therapy.
Melanoma
Melanoma starts in the cells that give your skin its color, or melanin. It often appears as an unusually shaped or colored growth on the skin, similar to a mole. However, unlike moles, melanoma is not usually symmetrical and can change in size or color.
Among the most common types of skin cancer, melanoma is known for being aggressive and spreading quickly—sometimes spreading to the lymph nodes in as little as a matter of months. Early detection is essential with melanoma, as later stages have a relatively poor prognosis.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
A relatively rare form of skin cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma is aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body quickly. It most often occurs in older adults. Merkel cell carcinoma usually appears as a small lump or nodule on the face, neck, or head, as the cells occur in the top layer of the skin.
While still uncommon, Merkel cell carcinoma is being diagnosed more frequently every year.
Treatment Options for Skin Cancer and Melanoma
Surgery for Melanoma
The first rounds of treatment for melanoma and other types of skin cancer will almost always include surgery to remove the cancerous area. It may involve a simple excision, where your surgeon cuts out the cancer and a margin of skin around it, while others may involve freezing the cancer cells or using lasers to destroy them.
Radiation Therapy for Skin Cancers
Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, uses beams of nuclear energy to kill cancer cells. During a radiation therapy session, a machine will aim a charged beam of radioactive particles to precise points on your body to kill the cancer cells. Radiation treatments are primarily used for melanoma, but may also be used for other skin cancers in certain situations.
This radiation is painless, and it won’t make you radioactive after you finish a round of treatment, so it’s safe to be around others afterward.
Immunotherapy
As with most types of cancer, your immune system doesn’t recognize melanoma or other skin cancers as dangerous on its own. Immunotherapy can change that for some patients.
Immunotherapy is most often used to treat melanoma, especially if it has spread to the lymph nodes or can’t be removed with surgery. It uses specialized medicines to train your immune system or block certain proteins that the cancer cells use to spread to other parts of the body, killing the cancer cells.
Doctors use several different types of immunotherapy drugs to treat melanoma. The type your oncologist recommends will depend on your specific situation.
Chemotherapy for Skin Cancer
Chemotherapy uses medication to kill cancer cells. It’s most commonly used for aggressive or advanced types of skin cancer, particularly melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body. In many cases, your oncology team may give you chemotherapy either through an IV or oral medications.
The goal of this therapy is to decrease the chance of cancer returning and stop it from spreading. However, chemotherapy does have some side effects. These often include fatigue, hair loss, mouth sores, and a temporary weakening of your immune system.
Targeted Therapy for Melanoma
As a treatment for melanoma and other severe forms of skin cancer, targeted therapy uses medication that targets the proteins on skin cancer cells to destroy them. In principle, the treatment process is similar to chemotherapy. However, targeted therapy only attacks the cancer cells, rather than all types of cells that divide quickly.
Targeted therapy is best suited for melanoma patients who have the BRAF V600 genetic mutation. Since about 50 percent of melanoma patients have it, using targeted therapy medications designed to target cells with this mutation can bring the melanoma under control.
Skin Cancer and Melanoma Treatment Near You at CHC
At The CHC, we know that no two skin cancer patients’ situations are the same. That’s why we treat every diagnosis as an individual case. Not only do we provide multiple types of treatment for skin cancer, but we also offer cutting-edge procedures and clinical trials to help you recover faster.
Learn More About Skin Cancer Treatment in Michigan
Our oncologists and skin cancer specialists are here to help you navigate your diagnosis and treatment. To learn more about skin cancer treatment near you in West Michigan, call 800-411-7999 today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Does Skin Cancer Look Like?
Each skin cancer’s symptoms can look slightly different. Here is how each one is most likely to present:
- Basal cell carcinoma: A shiny, skin-colored bump that can look pearly white, brown, or glossy black depending on skin tone. It may also look like a dark-colored lesion with a raised border, a scaly patch, or a waxy lesion that doesn’t have a clearly defined border.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: A sore or bump on the skin, or flat sores that are scaly and showing up on old scars or other sores. Rough, scaly patches and sores can also appear on the lips or inside the mouth.
- Merkel cell carcinoma: A fast-growing, painless nodule on the skin, especially on the face, head, or neck. These nodules are a type of tumor and may be the same color as your skin, or could be red, blue, or purple.
- Melanoma: An irregularly shaped mole that changes color or size over a few weeks or months. Most are black, brown, or tan. They can be the size of normal moles, or grow to be larger than the size of a pea.
Who Can Get Skin Cancer?
Anyone can develop skin cancer—no matter their race, ethnicity, or gender. However, people with light skin and those who are more prone to sunburn are more likely to develop all types of skin cancer.
People who spend a lot of time in the sun or use tanning beds are also more likely to develop
Is Skin Cancer Deadly?
Skin cancer can be deadly, especially if it isn’t detected or treated early. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are not usually life-threatening on their own, but melanoma can be.
Early detection can make a difference in your prognosis, so we always recommend addressing unusual changes in your skin with your dermatologist quickly.
How Can I Prevent Skin Cancer?
Some risk factors for skin cancer—such as your family history, likelihood of sunburn, and overall skin tone—can’t be controlled. However, there are still some things you can do to protect yourself from skin cancer:
- Reduce your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are present in sunlight
- Stay out of the sun when the sunlight is strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- If you have to go out in the sun, wear long clothes, a hat, and sunglasses
- Use sunscreen, especially if you need to go outside
- Don’t use tanning beds at all—these emit UV rays that are even more intense than the sun
- Get to know your skin and check for changes and new developments regularly