Many people first notice skin cancer as a new spot or mole that looks different from the rest, or a long‑standing mole that starts to change. Warning signs include an asymmetrical shape, uneven or very dark colors, jagged or growing edges, a diameter larger than about 6 mm (¼ inch), or any spot that itches, bleeds, crusts, or doesn’t heal after a few weeks. Paying attention to the “first signs of skin cancer” often means catching a stubborn, changing, or unusual patch on sun‑exposed areas like the face, ears, scalp, arms, or chest, but it can appear anywhere on the skin.
Condition
Skin cancer
This condition is associated to the following genes:
This condition has the following symptoms:
New skin growthChanging moleColor changesIrregular bordersIncreasing sizeNonhealing soreBleeding or crustingSkin cancer is a group of cancers that start in the skin. It often shows up as a new spot or a changing mole, and some people notice itching, bleeding, or a sore that does not heal. Many people first hear about skin cancer when a small patch looks different from the others on a sun‑exposed area. It can affect anyone, but fair skin, heavy sun or tanning bed exposure, and older age raise risk, and most cases are highly treatable when found early. Treatment usually includes surgical removal, and some cases need medicines like immunotherapy or targeted therapy, and survival is excellent for most non‑melanoma skin cancers but varies in melanoma depending on stage.
Short Overview
Symptoms
Early symptoms of skin cancer include a new spot or mole that changes—grows, darkens, itches, or bleeds—or a sore that doesn’t heal. Watch for asymmetry, irregular edges, multiple colors, or enlargement. Any persistent, unusual skin change deserves prompt evaluation.
Outlook and Prognosis
Many people with skin cancer do well, especially when it’s found and treated early. Outcomes vary by type and stage; thin, localized spots often have excellent long-term control, while advanced melanoma needs closer follow-up and modern systemic treatments. Regular skin checks and sun protection support better results.
Causes and Risk Factors
Skin cancer often stems from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds. Risk increases with fair skin, many moles, blistering sunburns, older age, male sex, immunosuppression, prior radiation or arsenic exposure, and certain inherited conditions or family history.
Genetic influences
Genetics plays a meaningful role in skin cancer risk, but sun and UV exposure remain the biggest drivers. Inherited variants like CDKN2A or BRCA2 can raise risk, especially with strong family history. Genetic testing is considered selectively, guided by personal and family patterns.
Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose skin cancer with a skin exam, often using dermoscopy to assess spots. Suspicious areas are confirmed by a simple biopsy. If needed, imaging or lymph node checks help stage the diagnosis of skin cancer.
Treatment and Drugs
Skin cancer treatment depends on type, stage, and location, aiming to remove cancer and protect healthy skin. Options include surgical removal, targeted or immunotherapy medicines, and, for some, radiation or topical treatments. Follow-up skin checks and sun protection remain essential.
Symptoms
Skin cancer often shows up as changes you can see or feel on your skin. Early symptoms of skin cancer can be subtle—like a new spot, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a mole that looks different from the others. Symptoms vary from person to person and can change over time. If a mark keeps changing, bleeds, or won’t go away, it’s worth getting it checked.
New or changing spot: A new mark on your skin or a spot that looks different from your other moles deserves attention. Changes in size, shape, or color over weeks to months matter. This can be an early sign of skin cancer.
Uneven shape: One half of the spot doesn’t match the other. An irregular or lopsided outline can be concerning.
Irregular border: Edges that are jagged, notched, or blurred raise suspicion. Smooth, even borders are less worrisome.
Color changes: Multiple colors in one spot—tan, brown, black, blue, red, or white—are more concerning than a single, even color. Rapid darkening or loss of color can also signal change.
Growing size: A spot larger than about 6 mm (1/4 inch) or one that keeps getting bigger should be checked. Growth over time is more important than a single measurement.
Non-healing sore: A sore that doesn’t heal within 3–4 weeks, or keeps reopening, is a common warning sign. It may ooze, crust, or bleed. This pattern can point to skin cancer.
Itching or tenderness: A mole or spot that itches, hurts, or feels tender can be a clue. Skin cancer doesn’t always cause pain, but persistent new sensations matter.
Bleeding or crusting: A spot that bleeds easily or crusts over again and again needs a look. Even tiny bumps shouldn’t bleed with routine washing or gentle touch. Some skin cancers do this early.
Pearly or shiny bump: A smooth, pearly, or translucent bump that’s pink, red, or skin-colored may appear and slowly enlarge. Fine blood vessels may be visible on its surface. This appearance is common in certain skin cancers.
Scaly or rough patch: A pink or red patch that feels scaly, rough, or wart-like may grow or become tender. It can catch on clothing or crack and bleed. Persistent patches should be examined for skin cancer.
Dark streak on nail: A brown or black line under a fingernail or toenail that wasn’t caused by an injury should be checked. It may widen or darken over time. This can be a sign of skin cancer under the nail.
Scar-like area: A flat, firm, pale, or waxy area that looks like a scar without a clear reason can be worrisome. The skin may feel tight or shiny. Rarely, skin cancer can look like this.
How people usually first notice
Types of Skin cancer
Skin cancer can look and behave differently depending on the type. Day to day, this affects where it appears on the body, how fast it grows, and how likely it is to spread. Clinicians often describe them in these categories: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma, and a few less common forms like Merkel cell carcinoma. If you’re comparing types of skin cancer, the early symptoms of skin cancer often include a new spot or a changing mole, but the details vary by type.
Basal cell carcinoma
Usually a shiny bump, pink patch, or a sore that bleeds and doesn’t fully heal. Tends to grow slowly and rarely spreads beyond the skin. Most often appears on sun‑exposed areas like the face and neck.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Often a scaly, firm, rough patch or a wart‑like growth that may crust or bleed. Can grow faster than BCC and is more likely to spread if left untreated. Common on sun‑exposed skin but can occur on lips or scars.
Melanoma
Typically a changing mole with asymmetry, uneven edges, mixed colors, or a size larger than 6 mm (about 1/4 inch). Can arise on normal skin or an existing mole and may itch or bleed. Spreads earlier than other types, so quick evaluation is crucial.
Merkel cell carcinoma
Appears as a painless, firm, shiny or red‑violet bump that grows quickly. More likely to spread early compared with BCC and SCC. Often found on sun‑exposed skin in older adults or people with weaker immune systems.
Actinic keratosis (precancer)
Rough, sandpapery spots that come and go on sun‑exposed skin. Not a cancer yet, but a small number can turn into SCC over time. Treating them lowers the chance of progression.
Less common types
Includes dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and adnexal (sweat or hair gland) tumors. These are rarer, may behave differently, and need specialist care. Your dermatologist will tailor testing and treatment to the exact subtype.
Did you know?
Certain inherited mutations, like in CDKN2A or BRCA2, can raise melanoma risk, leading to new or changing moles, irregular borders, multiple colors, or easy bleeding. People with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) genes often develop freckles early and face extreme sun sensitivity.
Causes and Risk Factors
UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds is the leading cause of skin cancer, and time in strong sun without shade or sunscreen raises risk. Risk is higher with fair or freckled skin, light eyes or hair, many moles, or a history of blistering sunburns. Risk also rises with older age, a weakened immune system, past radiation, or long-term arsenic exposure. Family history and rare inherited conditions can raise risk, and knowing the early symptoms of skin cancer can help you act quickly. Doctors distinguish between risk factors you can change and those you can’t.
Environmental and Biological Risk Factors
Skin cancer risk comes from a mix of what's around you and what's happening inside your body. Being exposed to risks in your body or environment doesn’t mean illness is inevitable. Below are environmental exposures and body-based factors that can raise risk, separate from genetics or daily habits. Knowing these can also help you pay attention to early symptoms of skin cancer without causing alarm.
Intense UV sunlight: Strong sunlight damages skin cell DNA. Midday sun and clear summer days deliver higher UV, increasing risk.
High UV regions: Living or working at high altitude or near the equator increases UV exposure. Thinner ozone or a high UV index means more skin damage can accumulate.
Reflective surfaces: Water, snow, and sand bounce UV back onto the skin. This adds extra dose to the face, neck, and forearms, raising risk over time.
Medical UV therapy: Repeated courses of certain ultraviolet light treatments can raise later skin cancer risk. Higher total doses and regimens that combine a light-sensitizing medicine with UVA increase the effect.
Ionizing radiation: Past radiation therapy to the skin increases the chance of basal or squamous cell skin cancers in the treated area. Risk is greater when exposure occurred in childhood or at high doses.
Arsenic exposure: Drinking water or workplace contact contaminated with arsenic can increase squamous cell skin cancer risk. The effect may appear years after exposure and can cause multiple spots.
Coal tar or soot: Long-term contact with coal tar, pitch, or soot introduces cancer-causing chemicals to the skin. Occupational exposure in paving, roofing, or chimney work is most relevant.
Welding arc UV: Electric arc welding emits intense UV that can injure exposed skin. Regular exposure can raise squamous cell skin cancer risk on the face and arms.
Chronic skin injury: Long-standing scars, burns, or nonhealing ulcers can transform into skin cancer, especially squamous cell type. Persistent inflammation and repeated repair in the area drive the risk.
Weakened immune system: Conditions or medicines that suppress immunity make it harder to detect and eliminate abnormal skin cells. People after an organ transplant have a much higher rate of squamous cell skin cancers.
Older age: Skin cancer becomes more common with age as damage accumulates. Older skin repairs DNA less efficiently, allowing mutations to persist.
HPV skin infection: Certain human papillomavirus types are linked with squamous cell cancers on or around the genitals and nails. The effect is stronger when immunity is reduced.
Photosensitizing medicines: Some antibiotics, diuretics, and other drugs increase sensitivity to UV light. The same sunlight can then cause more skin damage than usual over time.
Genetic Risk Factors
Some people are born with gene changes that raise their chance of skin cancer. These genetic risk factors for skin cancer range from rare syndromes with high risk to common variants that nudge risk only slightly. Carrying a genetic change doesn’t guarantee the condition will appear. A detailed family history and, in selected cases, genetic testing can clarify whether a hereditary pattern may be present.
Family history: Multiple relatives with melanoma skin cancer or early-onset cases point to an inherited tendency. Risk is higher when a parent, sibling, or child is affected, especially if someone has more than one primary melanoma.
CDKN2A or CDK4: Changes in the CDKN2A or CDK4 genes can cause familial melanoma. People may develop melanomas at younger ages or more than one primary melanoma. Pancreatic cancer can also occur in some families with CDKN2A changes.
MC1R variants: MC1R variants linked to red hair, freckles, and fair skin raise melanoma risk. They also modestly increase risk of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers.
BAP1 tumor syndrome: Inherited BAP1 changes increase risk for cutaneous melanoma and certain Spitz-type tumors. Relatives may also have uveal melanoma or mesothelioma.
MITF E318K: The MITF E318K variant confers a moderate increase in melanoma risk. Some people have many moles or atypical moles.
PTEN (Cowden): PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (Cowden) carries a small-to-moderate melanoma risk. Benign growths and increased risks for thyroid, breast, and other cancers may also be part of the pattern.
Gorlin syndrome: Gorlin syndrome (PTCH1) strongly predisposes to basal cell carcinoma. Many develop numerous basal cell skin cancers beginning in adolescence or young adulthood.
Xeroderma pigmentosum: Xeroderma pigmentosum affects DNA repair and leads to extremely high risks of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Skin cancers may appear in childhood.
Albinism (OCA): Oculocutaneous albinism (genes such as TYR and OCA2) reduces melanin in the skin and eyes. This reduced pigment is linked to higher rates of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers.
Telomere disorders: Telomere biology disorders (such as dyskeratosis congenita from TERT, TERC, or DKC1 changes) increase squamous cell carcinoma risk. Nail and skin changes, bone marrow problems, and early graying can be clues.
Epidermolysis bullosa: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a skin-fragility condition with very high risk of aggressive squamous cell carcinoma in chronic wounds. Cancers often arise in adolescence or early adulthood.
BRCA2 and others: Inherited changes in BRCA2 and, less clearly, other DNA repair genes can modestly raise melanoma risk. The increase is small compared with high-penetrance melanoma genes.
Polygenic risk: Many common gene variants each add a tiny amount of risk. Together, these can substantially shift lifetime odds of melanoma and other skin cancers for some people.
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Skin cancer risk is strongly shaped by everyday behaviors around ultraviolet (UV) exposure and protection. The lifestyle risk factors for skin cancer focus on how, when, and how long you expose your skin to UV, and how consistently you protect it. Choices about tanning, alcohol, and smoking can also influence risk.
Unprotected sun time: Spending time outdoors without sun protection increases cumulative UV damage that drives skin cancer. Consistent protection lowers basal and squamous cell carcinoma risk.
Indoor tanning: Tanning beds deliver intense UVA that raises melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma risk. Starting younger and using them more often further increases risk.
Frequent sunburns: Repeated blistering or intense sunburns, especially in youth, sharply raise melanoma risk. Preventing burns with vigilant protection reduces future risk.
Midday exposure: Outdoor activities between 10 a.m.–4 p.m. deliver the strongest UV dose. Shifting exercise and recreation to morning or evening reduces exposure without sacrificing activity.
Poor sunscreen use: Skipping or under-applying broad-spectrum SPF allows more DNA damage from UV. Using enough and reapplying during outdoor time improves protection.
Minimal protective clothing: Not wearing hats, long sleeves, and sunglasses leaves skin and eyes vulnerable to UV. Routine use lowers actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancer.
Alcohol intake: Higher alcohol consumption is associated with a modestly increased risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Cutting back may complement other sun-safe behaviors.
Smoking: Cigarette smoking is linked to higher cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma risk. Quitting may reduce risk and improve skin healing.
Tanning oils: Using oils or glosses that intensify tanning increases UV penetration and burns. Avoiding them helps limit DNA injury to skin.
UV nail lamps: Regular use adds localized UVA exposure to hands. Protective gloves or limiting sessions can reduce cumulative dose.
Outdoor work habits: Skipping shade breaks and staying exposed for long shifts increases cumulative UV dose. Planning shade time and rotating tasks reduces exposure.
Risk Prevention
Small daily habits can lower your chances of skin cancer. Prevention is about lowering risk, not eliminating it completely. Protecting your skin from UV and catching changes early make the biggest difference. Learn what the early symptoms of skin cancer look like and plan regular checks.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen: Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin every day, even when it’s cloudy. Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating. A generous amount helps—about 30 mL (1 oz) or a shot glass for full-body coverage.
Shade and timing: Seek shade when the sun is strongest, roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plan outdoor time for early morning or late afternoon to lower UV exposure. Be extra careful near water, snow, or sand, which reflect sunlight.
Protective clothing: Wear long sleeves, trousers, and a wide-brim hat that shades the face, ears, and neck. Choose tightly woven or UPF-rated fabrics for better protection. Darker colors often block more UV.
No tanning beds: Avoid indoor tanning completely, as concentrated UV raises skin cancer risk. Sunless self-tanners can add color without UV damage. You still need sunscreen when using self-tanners.
Check UV index: Look up the daily UV index to guide how much protection you need. When it’s 3 or higher, use full sun precautions like shade, clothing, and sunscreen. Many weather apps display this number.
Lip and eye protection: Use an SPF 30 lip balm and reapply often, especially after eating or drinking. Wear UV400 sunglasses to shield your eyes and the thin skin on the eyelids. This reduces UV damage around sensitive areas.
Skin self-exams: Check your skin monthly from scalp to soles, using mirrors or photos to track spots. Watch for new growths or moles that change, itch, bleed, or don’t heal. Finding changes early helps catch skin cancer when it’s easier to treat.
Professional skin checks: Consider a yearly skin exam, especially if you have many moles, fair skin, or a family history. Book a prompt visit for any changing or bleeding spot. People with past skin cancer may need more frequent check-ups.
Protect children’s skin: Children burn faster and UV damage adds up over time. Use shade, clothing, and sunscreen on kids older than 6 months, and keep infants under 6 months out of direct sun. Early habits can lower lifetime skin cancer risk.
Medication photosensitivity: Some antibiotics, acne treatments, and diuretics make skin more sun-sensitive. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medicines raise this risk and adjust your sun protection. Extra care can prevent sunburns that raise skin cancer risk.
Vitamin D safely: Get vitamin D from food or supplements rather than unprotected sun. Talk with your doctor before supplementing if you have special health needs. You still need sunscreen even if your skin tans easily.
How effective is prevention?
Skin cancer is largely preventable, but not 100% avoidable. Consistent sun protection and avoiding tanning beds can cut risk substantially; daily broad‑spectrum sunscreen SPF 30+, shade, and protective clothing all add up over time. Regular skin checks—monthly self‑exams and routine clinician exams—don’t prevent cancer but help catch it early, when treatment is most effective. For people at higher risk (fair skin, many moles, prior sunburns, family history), stricter protection and closer screening offer bigger risk reductions.
Transmission
Skin cancer is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person by touch, kissing, sharing towels, swimming pools, sex, coughing or sneezing, or contact with blood. It develops when skin cells are damaged—most often by ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds—not from an infection. People often ask whether you can catch skin cancer; you can’t, although an untreated skin cancer can grow deeper or spread within your own body over time. A small number of families inherit a higher tendency to develop skin cancer, but that reflects increased risk, not the cancer itself being transferred.
When to test your genes
Choose genetic testing if you have multiple or unusual skin cancers, a strong family history (especially under age 40), or relatives with known cancer gene variants. Consider it before treatments to guide targeted drugs or immunotherapy, and if you have many atypical moles or rare subtypes. A genetics professional can tailor timing and the right test.
Diagnosis
You might notice a new spot that looks different from the others, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a mole that changes in size or color. Doctors usually begin with a careful look at the skin to decide which areas need closer attention. The diagnosis of skin cancer is confirmed with a small tissue sample called a biopsy. From there, results guide whether any further tests are needed.
Skin exam: A clinician inspects the entire skin, including the scalp, nails, and soles, and asks about changes over time. They look for warning signs such as asymmetry, irregular borders, multiple colors, larger size, or lesions that bleed or itch.
Dermoscopy: A handheld magnifier with light helps reveal structures under the surface that aren’t visible to the naked eye. This can improve accuracy in deciding which spots need a biopsy and which can be safely watched.
Clinical photos: Standardized photographs or mole mapping document spots and patterns over time. Comparing images during follow-up helps catch subtle changes that suggest a higher risk.
Biopsy: A small sample of the spot is removed under local anesthesia for lab analysis. Methods include shave, punch, or excisional biopsy depending on the size and location of the lesion.
Pathology report: A pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to confirm cancer and identify the type. The report may include depth, margins, and other features that guide treatment decisions.
Lymph node check: The clinician feels nearby lymph nodes to look for swelling or tenderness. For some melanomas, a sentinel lymph node biopsy helps assess whether cancer cells have spread beyond the skin.
Imaging tests: Ultrasound, CT, MRI, or PET scans are used if there is concern the cancer has spread or for staging advanced cases. Imaging helps plan treatment by showing where the cancer is and how extensive it is.
Blood tests: Routine blood work is not needed for most early skin cancers. In melanoma, certain tests such as LDH may be used in advanced disease to help with staging and monitoring.
Molecular testing: If melanoma or other advanced skin cancers are found, labs may test the tumor for genetic changes such as BRAF. These results can guide targeted treatments and clinical trial options.
Follow-up exams: Regular skin checks help find new or changing spots early. From here, the focus shifts to confirming or ruling out possible causes.
Stages of Skin cancer
Skin cancer staging describes how far the cancer has grown in the skin and whether it has spread. It applies across types (like melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers), though the details can vary. Different tests may be suggested to help confirm the stage, such as a skin exam, a biopsy, and—if needed—imaging scans. Early symptoms of skin cancer can be subtle, so staging relies more on exam and test findings than on how the spot looks or feels.
Stage 0
The cancer is only in the top layer of the skin. It has not grown deeper or spread. Treatment typically aims to remove it completely.
Stage I
The cancer is small and only in the skin. Nearby lymph nodes are clear. Surgery often cures it at this stage.
Stage II
The main spot is thicker or has higher-risk features but still no spread to lymph nodes. Doctors may consider a sentinel lymph node biopsy to check for hidden spread. The risk of return is higher than in Stage I.
Stage III
Cancer cells have reached nearby lymph nodes or small skin deposits between the spot and the nodes. Treatment often includes surgery plus medicines like immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Radiation may be added in select cases.
Stage IV
The cancer has spread to distant organs such as the lungs, liver, brain, or bones. Care focuses on systemic treatment (for the whole body), sometimes combined with surgery or radiation. The goal is to control the cancer, ease symptoms, and extend life.
Did you know about genetic testing?
Did you know genetic testing can help spot inherited risks for skin cancer before problems start, so you and your care team can plan extra skin checks, sun protection, and earlier treatment if needed? If a gene change runs in your family, testing can clarify who’s at higher risk and who isn’t, easing uncertainty and guiding personalized prevention. Results can also shape treatment choices if cancer develops, including eligibility for targeted therapies and clinical trials.
Outlook and Prognosis
Looking ahead can feel daunting, but most people with skin cancer do well when it’s found and treated early. Survival is excellent for common, early-stage nonmelanoma types; many are cured with a single procedure and regular check-ins. Melanoma has a wider range: thin melanomas caught early have very high survival, while thicker or spread disease needs more intensive care and has a lower chance of long-term control. Doctors call this the prognosis—a medical word for likely outcomes.
The outlook for skin cancer depends on stage at diagnosis, the specific type (basal cell, squamous cell, melanoma, and rarer forms), location on the body, and whether lymph nodes or other organs are involved. Early symptoms of skin cancer—like a changing mole, a new spot that doesn’t heal, or a scaly patch—are worth checking promptly, because quick treatment improves outcomes. For melanoma that has spread, newer immunotherapy and targeted drugs have improved survival compared with the past, and some people experience years of disease control. Everyone’s journey looks a little different.
Most people with basal cell carcinoma live normal lifespans, though they may develop new lesions over time and need periodic treatments. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually curable when small, but risk is higher if it grows deep, involves nerves, or starts on the lips or ears; in those cases, close follow-up is key. Melanoma mortality rises with advanced stage, but earlier detection and modern therapies have steadily reduced death rates in many countries. Talk with your doctor about what your personal outlook might look like.
Long Term Effects
Skin cancer outcomes depend on the cancer type, stage at diagnosis, and where it sits on the body. Those diagnosed after noticing early symptoms of skin cancer—like a new or changing spot—often have excellent long-term survival, especially for basal and squamous cell cancers. Long-term effects vary widely, with melanoma carrying a higher chance of spread compared with other skin cancers. Scars and subtle changes in feeling or movement can persist, particularly after larger surgeries or treatments near the face, hands, or joints.
Risk of recurrence: Skin cancer can return in the same area or nearby years later. The risk is higher with melanoma and high‑risk squamous cell cancers.
Metastasis potential: Melanoma can spread to lymph nodes or organs, which affects survival and long-term health. Advanced squamous cell cancers can also spread, though this is less common.
Scarring and appearance: Surgery can leave visible scars or contour changes, especially on the face, ears, or nose. Reconstructive procedures reduce this but some changes often remain.
Numbness or nerve changes: Cutting near nerves can leave areas of numbness, tingling, or sensitivity to touch. These sensations may improve slowly, but some can be permanent.
Functional impact: Cancers on eyelids, lips, hands, or feet can affect blinking, speech, grip, or walking. Even small changes can matter in day‑to‑day tasks.
Lymphedema risk: Removing lymph nodes to stage melanoma can lead to chronic arm or leg swelling. Swelling may fluctuate and can raise the risk of skin infections.
Radiation skin changes: Previously treated skin can stay thinner, drier, or tighter and may tan or burn more easily. These changes tend to be long‑lasting in the treated patch.
Sun‑damage susceptibility: People with a history of skin cancer often develop new sun‑related spots over time. This raises the lifetime chance of additional skin cancers.
Emotional health: Worry about new spots or recurrence can linger, especially around checkups. Many find that anxiety eases with time and clear follow‑up plans.
Treatment late effects: Some systemic treatments can have long‑term effects, like fatigue or hormonal changes with certain immunotherapies. Most people have manageable effects, but a few may need ongoing care.
How is it to live with Skin cancer?
Living with skin cancer often means weaving treatment and follow‑up into everyday life, from scheduling procedures to protecting skin with shade, clothing, and high‑SPF sunscreen. Many find the uncertainty around checkups and biopsies emotionally taxing, yet routines like regular skin exams and sun‑safe habits restore a sense of control. Family and friends may share the vigilance—reminding about hats, helping check hard‑to‑see spots, or adjusting outdoor plans—while also needing reassurance and clear information. With good care, most people return to work, exercise, and social life, adapting thoughtfully rather than stopping the things they love.
Treatment and Drugs
Skin cancer treatment focuses on removing the cancer, lowering the chance it returns, and protecting the rest of your skin. Options depend on the type (like basal cell, squamous cell, or melanoma), size, depth, and where it sits, and may include surgical removal (excision), Mohs surgery for precise layer-by-layer removal, freezing (cryotherapy), curettage with cautery, or topical treatments such as imiquimod or 5‑fluorouracil for certain early lesions. For melanoma or advanced non‑melanoma skin cancers, doctors may recommend targeted drugs that home in on cancer cell changes, or immunotherapy that helps your immune system attack the cancer; radiation therapy can help when surgery isn’t possible or as an add‑on to reduce recurrence. Treatment plans often combine several approaches, and your team will tailor choices to your overall health, skin type, and personal preferences. Ask your doctor about the best starting point for you, and make a plan for regular skin checks and sun protection to support your treatment.
Non-Drug Treatment
Skin cancer is often treated with procedures and supportive care that do not involve medicines. Non-drug treatments often lay the foundation for removing the tumor, protecting healing skin, and lowering the chance of new spots. Knowing early symptoms of skin cancer—like a changing mole or a sore that doesn’t heal—can also help you and your care team choose the right approach.
Surgical excision: The doctor removes the cancer with a small rim of healthy skin under local anesthetic. The tissue is checked in a lab to confirm clear margins and reduce the chance of return.
Mohs surgery: The cancer is removed layer by layer with each layer checked under a microscope the same day. This spares as much healthy skin as possible, which is helpful on the face, ears, nose, or hands.
Curettage and cautery: The spot is gently scraped and then the base is heat-sealed to destroy remaining cells. It’s quick and useful for some small, shallow skin cancers, though it may leave a round, pale scar.
Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen freezes and destroys certain very superficial cancers and precancers. Treated areas may blister, scab, and then heal over 1–3 weeks, with a risk of temporary or permanent color change.
Photodynamic therapy: A light-activated cream is applied, then a special light targets abnormal cells. It can treat some early or superficial skin cancers and actinic keratoses, but you must avoid bright light for 48 hours.
Radiation therapy: Focused beams treat skin cancer when surgery isn’t possible or would cause major cosmetic or functional issues. Treatment usually involves several short sessions over a few weeks and can cause temporary skin irritation and fatigue.
Active surveillance: For some very slow-growing skin cancers in frail adults, careful monitoring may be reasonable. The team watches for change and can switch to treatment if the spot grows or symptoms appear.
Regular skin checks: Scheduled exams help catch new or recurring skin cancer earlier, when treatments are simpler. Visits are typically every 3–12 months at first, then less often as risk decreases.
Sun protection: Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, UPF clothing, hats, and shade reduce new skin cancers and protect healing areas. Some strategies can slip naturally into your routine—like keeping a hat in your bag or taking shade breaks at midday.
Scar and wound care: Gentle cleansing, petrolatum ointment, and silicone gels or sheets support healing and reduce thick scars. Regular massage and sun protection (SPF 30+ / UV-protective clothing) help the scar mature and fade.
Lymphedema therapy: After lymph node surgery for melanoma, swelling in an arm or leg can be managed with compression, exercise, and specialized massage. Some non-drug options are delivered by specialists, such as certified lymphedema therapists.
Psychological support: Counseling, peer groups, or psycho-oncology services can help with anxiety, body image concerns, and fear of recurrence. Sharing the journey with others can make appointments and follow-up feel less overwhelming.
Did you know that drugs are influenced by genes?
Two people can take the same skin cancer drug and have very different responses because gene variants affect how fast the body activates, breaks down, or transports the medicine. Genetic testing can guide dose choices, predict side effects, and help select targeted therapies.
Pharmacological Treatments
Medicines for skin cancer depend on the type (melanoma, basal cell, squamous cell) and how far it has spread, and they often work alongside surgery or radiation. Not everyone responds to the same medication in the same way. Catching issues early—even noticing early symptoms of skin cancer—can mean simpler treatments, while advanced cases may use drug combinations tailored to the tumor’s biology.
PD-1 inhibitors: Pembrolizumab and nivolumab help the immune system find and attack cancer cells in melanoma and some advanced non-melanoma skin cancers. Cemiplimab is used for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and for basal cell carcinoma after other drugs stop working.
CTLA-4 inhibitor: Ipilimumab can be used alone or with nivolumab for advanced melanoma. Combining it with a PD-1 blocker can increase response but may raise the chance of side effects.
LAG-3 combination: Nivolumab plus relatlimab is an option for advanced melanoma. It targets two immune checkpoints at once to boost anti-cancer activity.
BRAF/MEK targeting: For melanoma with a BRAF V600 change, pairs like dabrafenib with trametinib, vemurafenib with cobimetinib, or encorafenib with binimetinib can shrink tumors. These drugs block growth signals and are often used when fast control of disease is needed.
Hedgehog inhibitors: Vismodegib or sonidegib treat locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma when surgery or radiation are not suitable. If these stop working or aren’t tolerated, cemiplimab may be considered.
EGFR inhibitor: Cetuximab may be used for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma when immunotherapy isn’t an option. It can be combined with radiation in selected cases.
Oncolytic virus: Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is an injected therapy for certain melanoma skin or lymph node lesions. It helps the immune system recognize and attack the cancer locally and throughout the body.
Topical therapies: Imiquimod or 5‑fluorouracil creams treat superficial basal cell carcinoma and precancerous actinic keratoses. These skin-directed medicines can spare surgery for small, shallow spots.
Chemotherapy options: When targeted drugs or immunotherapy aren’t suitable, medicines like dacarbazine or temozolomide (melanoma) and platinum-based regimens (cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma) may be used. Chemo is less common now for skin cancer but remains an option in select situations.
Steroid and side-effect care: Short courses of steroids or other medicines may be needed to calm immune-related side effects from checkpoint inhibitors. Doctors adjust treatment plans regularly to balance benefit and tolerability.
Genetic Influences
Inherited traits can change how easily your skin is harmed by UV light, how well it repairs that damage, and how your immune system spots abnormal cells. These differences help explain why some people develop skin cancer despite careful sun habits, while others burn or freckle after very little sun. Family history is one of the strongest clues to a genetic influence. Most skin cancer stems from sun and tanning exposure, but a smaller share is strongly inherited—especially when melanoma appears at a young age, when one person has several melanomas, or when many close relatives are affected. Rare, inherited conditions that impair DNA repair or drive cell growth can lead to dozens of skin cancers or cancers starting in childhood, though these are uncommon. If patterns like these are present, genetic counseling and, in select cases, genetic testing for skin cancer risk can help clarify who in the family may benefit from earlier skin checks and stricter sun protection.
How genes can cause diseases
Humans have more than 20 000 genes, each carrying out one or a few specific functiosn in the body. One gene instructs the body to digest lactose from milk, another tells the body how to build strong bones and another prevents the bodies cells to begin lultiplying uncontrollably and develop into cancer. As all of these genes combined are the building instructions for our body, a defect in one of these genes can have severe health consequences.
Through decades of genetic research, we know the genetic code of any healthy/functional human gene. We have also identified, that in certain positions on a gene, some individuals may have a different genetic letter from the one you have. We call this hotspots “Genetic Variations” or “Variants” in short. In many cases, studies have been able to show, that having the genetic Letter “G” in the position makes you healthy, but heaving the Letter “A” in the same position disrupts the gene function and causes a disease. Genopedia allows you to view these variants in genes and summarizes all that we know from scientific research, which genetic letters (Genotype) have good or bad consequences on your health or on your traits.
Pharmacogenetics — how genetics influence drug effects
In skin cancer, tests on the tumor’s genes often shape which treatments you may be offered. Certain changes can make targeted drugs more effective—for example, BRAF changes in melanoma may point to BRAF‑ and MEK‑blocking medicines, while gene changes that activate the “hedgehog” pathway in basal cell cancer can guide use of hedgehog blockers. In some cases, features like a tumor’s mutation load or PD‑L1 level help predict how likely immunotherapy is to work. Genetic testing can sometimes identify how your body handles certain chemotherapy drugs, which helps set safe doses and lower the risk of side effects. For example, a small number of people have differences in a gene that breaks down fluorouracil (5‑FU); if they need this medicine by vein or by mouth, lower doses or alternatives may be safer. Pharmacogenetic testing for skin cancer isn’t one-size-fits-all, but when paired with tumor profiling, it can narrow the options to treatments most likely to help and least likely to harm.
Interactions with other diseases
For people living with skin cancer, other health issues can shape risk and recovery. Doctors call it a “comorbidity” when two conditions occur together. A weakened immune system—such as with HIV, after an organ transplant, or with certain blood cancers—can make skin cancer more likely and sometimes more aggressive. Some infections, like certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), are linked to squamous cell skin cancer, especially when immunity is low. Long-standing scars or chronic ulcers from conditions like diabetes-related poor circulation can rarely turn into a type of skin cancer, so any nonhealing area deserves a check. Genetic syndromes that affect the skin or DNA repair, including albinism or xeroderma pigmentosum, raise lifetime risk, while treatments for autoimmune disease or other cancers that suppress the immune system can also increase sun sensitivity and the chance of developing new skin cancers. If you live with these conditions, report any early symptoms of skin cancer—new spots, sores that don’t heal, or changing moles—promptly.
Special life conditions
Pregnancy can make skin changes harder to interpret, since moles may darken or grow with hormonal shifts; any spot that looks new, changes shape, bleeds, or doesn’t heal should be checked promptly, and doctors may suggest closer monitoring during pregnancy. Children can develop skin cancer, though it’s uncommon; watch for a mole that looks different from others, grows quickly, or appears pink and raised rather than the classic dark spot. Teens and young adults who tan or play outdoor sports have higher exposure; using broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, and shade during peak sun hours can lower risk without giving up activities you enjoy.
Older adults face the highest rates of skin cancer, and some may have many sun-damaged spots; regular full-skin exams make it easier to spot a new lesion early. People with darker skin can get skin cancer too, often on palms, soles, under nails, or areas not often in the sun, so checking those sites matters. If you’re an active athlete, sweat and frequent showering don’t cause cancer, but sun and reflective surfaces (water, snow, track) do—reapply water-resistant sunscreen, wear UV-protective gear, and schedule outdoor training when UV is lower. With the right care, many people continue to work, exercise, and go through pregnancy safely while staying on top of early symptoms of skin cancer.
History
Throughout history, people have described unusual spots that wouldn’t heal after sun exposure, long before anyone knew what skin cancer was. Sailors told of patches on the nose that cracked and bled. Farmers noticed rough, sandpapery bumps on the forearms after years in the fields. In desert regions, families recalled relatives with dark, changing moles that later caused weight loss and fatigue. These everyday observations captured the early symptoms of skin cancer, even without a name.
First described in the medical literature as distinct tumors on sun‑exposed skin, the condition was initially understood only through what doctors could see and remove. In the 19th century, surgeons learned that carefully cutting out these growths could cure many people, especially when the spot was found early. Over time, descriptions became more precise: some cancers grew slowly and stayed local, while others—especially those arising from moles—could spread to lymph nodes and distant organs.
As medical science evolved, microscopes revealed that not all skin cancers behave the same. Pathologists separated them into types based on how the cells looked and acted, which helped explain why one person’s small, pearly bump might be curable with a simple procedure, while another’s dark, irregular mole could be dangerous if not caught early. With each decade, links to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) exposure became clearer, reinforced by patterns seen in outdoor workers and people living in sunny climates.
In recent decades, awareness has grown that fair skin, a history of blistering sunburns, and tanning bed use raise risk, and that skin cancer can also affect people with darker skin, often appearing on the palms, soles, or under the nails. Public health campaigns led to sunscreen, hats, and shade becoming part of everyday prevention, and regular skin checks moved into routine care. Advances in genetics helped explain why certain families have more moles or a higher chance of melanoma, and why some tumors respond well to targeted drugs and immune therapy.
From early theories to modern research, the story of skin cancer shows steady progress from recognizing stubborn sores and changing moles to understanding causes, improving treatment, and preventing disease. Knowing the condition’s history reminds us why noticing new or changing skin spots—and seeking timely care—still makes a real difference today.