Types of Cancer
Melanoma(Also called cutaneous melanoma or malignant melanoma)
a disease of the skin in which cancer cells are found in the melanocytes, the cells that produce color in the skin or pigment known as melanin.
- Melanoma is a more serious type of cancer than the more common basal cell cancer, or squamous cell cancer occurring in approximately 1 in 100 Canadians
- The most common sights for melanoma to be found are on the back for men or on the legs for women and can also be seen in an existing mole or new mole
- Can have different rate of growth, may be rapid and highly invasive
- Most common sites for metastases are the lymph nodes, skin, lungs, brain, spinal cord, and liver; although they can spread anywhere in the body
- Overall cure rate for all treated melanomas is approximately 80%, very superficial tumors, to 40% for tumors that are harder to detect, which penetrate through the skin into the fatty tissue underneath
- It is extremely important that this type of cancer be detected in its earliest stages
(also known as non-melanoma skin cancer) is the most common form of skin cancer which accounts for almost 80% of diagnosis.
- It begins in the skin cells of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin).
- It grows slowly and usually appears on the head, neck, hands or upper back. Less commonly it can be found on the trunk of the body.
- Its appearance can look like a small milky, pale or wax like bump/nodule that may or may not bleed. It may also look like a hard white plaque in the skin, (possibly could contain some pigment) although this is less common
- Rarely spreads to internal parts of the body
(also known as non-melanoma skin cancer) is the second most common form of skin cancer
- It also begins to develop in skin cells of the epidermis, called the squamous cells
- Occasionally can spread away from originally location, possibly to lymph nodes
- Earliest form of Squamous Cell Carcinoma is called Actinic Keratosis and appears as rough, red bumps or patches on the scalp, face, ears, and backs of the hands and tend to be sore and tender areas
- Pre-cancerous lesions have the ability to become fully-developed Squamous Cell Carcinoma over time if left untreated, and may begin to appear as a hard pink/pale nodule
- May metastasize (spread), especially lesions of ear and lip