Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. It occurs in more than a million people each year, including many older people. There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Of the three, melanoma is the most serious. Skin cancer occurs when abnormal cells form and multiply in an uncontrolled way in the epidermis, or abnormal cells from the epidermis invade the dermis of the skin. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are skin cancers that are named for the epidermal cells from which they develop.

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer among light skinned individuals. It is the commonest cancer in the United States and in Australia. Each year, about one million people are diagnosed with this cancer. In 85 percent of these cases, the skin damage leading to the cancer occurs before an individual is 18.

Skin Cancer Classification

Skin Cancer Causes

Skin Cancer Diagnosis

Skin Cancer Prevention

Skin Cancer Management

Skin Cancer Pathology

Skin Cancer Symptoms

Hair Follicle Tumors

Rare Skin Cancers

Does Aspirin Increase Your Risk of Skin Cancer?

Understanding the Diversity of Skin Cancers

Latest Skin Cancer News and Research

Study sheds new light on brain evolution

In a new study published in Science, a Belgian research team explores how genetic switches controlling gene activity define brain cell types across species.

17 Feb 2025

Innovative photodynamic therapy targets melanoma with light-activated dyes

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin cancers, with over 300,000 new cases reported worldwide each year. In Europe, the number of diagnoses has been rising rapidly.

17 Feb 2025

Immunotherapy reduces sunspots and skin cancer by 65%

University of Queensland researchers have discovered immunotherapy, when used to treat people with advanced cancers, also helps reduce sunspots and skin cancers by at least 65 per cent.

12 Feb 2025

Study identifies vitamin E succinate as key to tumor growth control

High levels of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) have been linked to increased tumor growth and resistance to immunotherapy.

12 Feb 2025

Researchers discover strategy to slow brain metastases growth in melanoma

Brain metastases are one of the most severe complications of melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer. Researchers at the Institute for Neurosciences (IN), a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) in Elche, have identified a strategy to slow their progression, which could improve the response to current treatments.

7 Feb 2025

Inhibiting S6K2 gene offers potential treatment for drug-resistant melanoma

The lab of The Wistar Institute's Jessie Villanueva, Ph.D., has identified a new strategy for attacking treatment-resistant melanoma: inhibiting the gene S6K2. .

5 Feb 2025

Red vs. white wine: New study finds little difference in overall cancer risk

Research finds no overall difference in cancer risk between red and white wine, but white wine is linked to higher cancer risk in women and increased skin cancer risk.

3 Feb 2025

New compound shows promise for treating psoriasis with blue light activation

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that manifests itself mainly with skin symptoms (dryness, itching, scaly skin, abnormal patches and plaques).

3 Feb 2025

Green tea derived silver nanoparticles show promise against melanoma

Melanoma is a fast-progressing skin cancer characterized by a high mortality rate after metastasis. Local chemotherapy could be considered a therapeutic approach only in stage 0 of progression (in situ melanoma) and in the postoperative phase after surgical removal of suspected skin lesions.

3 Feb 2025

New therapy shows promise in treating basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinomas, the most common form of skin cancer, occur in chronically sun-exposed areas such as the face.

27 Jan 2025

Researchers identify ferroptosis as driver of osteocyte death in melanoma metastasis

Melanoma, one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, often metastasizes to bones, causing severe bone loss, an increased risk of fractures, and significant pain.

23 Jan 2025

PFAS in US water linked to increased cancer risk

A study links PFAS contamination in drinking water to increased cancer risks, highlighting significant impacts on digestive, endocrine, and respiratory systems.

16 Jan 2025

Topical immunotherapy clears precancerous skin lesions and reduces cancer risk

Calcipotriol-plus–5-FU therapy activates immune pathways, offering long-lasting protection against squamous cell carcinoma by targeting precancerous lesions.

6 Jan 2025

New immunotherapy shows long-term benefits in preventing squamous cell carcinoma

A new study by investigators from Mass General Brigham uncovers how a novel immunotherapy prevents squamous cell carcinoma, with benefits lasting five years after treatment.

2 Jan 2025

New nanoparticle platform delivers drug pairs to specific cancer types

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new platform using polymeric nanoparticles to deliver drug pairs to specific cancer types, including skin cancer and breast cancer.

23 Dec 2024

Pioneering research identifies three subtypes of osteosarcoma for better treatment

Researchers have been able to identify at least three distinct subtypes of a rare type of bone cancer for the first time, which could transform clinical trials and patient care.

20 Dec 2024

AI model enhances early detection of skin cancer with high accuracy

Skin cancer remains the most common form of cancer worldwide, often presenting as benign skin conditions that are difficult to differentiate, even for experienced dermatologists.

20 Dec 2024

UQ researchers move closer to developing topical cream for skin cancers in transplant patients

A topical cream to help prevent and treat skin cancers in organ transplant patients is a step closer to development.

28 Nov 2024

Researchers discover key protein interaction driving skin cancer growth

LMU researchers have discovered how the interplay between a key protein and an endolysosomal ion channel promotes tumor development in skin cancer.

22 Nov 2024

Study uncovers diversity of cancer-associated fibroblasts in skin cancer

A study at MedUni Vienna's Department of Dermatology provides insights into the diversity of cancer-associated fibroblasts in white and black skin cancer and describes their different immunomodulatory roles in the tumor environment.

19 Nov 2024