Types of skin cancer
Dermatologist reviewed: Nkanyezi Ferguson, MD, FAAD; Ata Moshiri, MD, MPH, FAAD. Reviewer bios.
It is estimated that every day, approximately 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer. When spotted early, even melanoma (the most serious skin cancer), is highly treatable. Here you’ll find facts, warning signs, and changes to watch for, so you can spot skin cancer early.
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma often develops on the head, neck, chest, or upper back.
Key facts about basal cell carcinoma
Most common type of skin cancer
Tends to develop in people with fair skin, light-colored eyes and hair, and freckles — but can develop in people of all skin tones
Often looks like a round, pearly or shiny bump or a raised and scaly patch of skin
Grows slowly and rarely spreads beyond the skin
Can scab and bleed easily
Early treatment is recommended to prevent basal cell carcinoma from growing deeper into the skin
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma usually develops on the head, neck, arms, or shins.
Key facts about squamous cell carcinoma
Usually develops in people with lighter skin tones
Most common type of skin cancer in people with darker skin tones
Can develop within a precancerous skin growth called an actinic keratosis (AK), which looks like a dry, scaly patch or spot on the skin
Often looks like a rough and scaly patch, firm and dome-shaped growth, or a non-healing sore
May grow slowly or rapidly but is highly treatable when caught early
Can spread or return after treatment
Melanoma
Melanoma can appear suddenly, developing on skin that gets lots or little, if any, sun.
Key facts about melanoma
Known as “the most serious skin cancer”
Anyone, regardless of skin tone, can get
Can grow rapidly and spread beyond the skin
Can appear within a mole that you already have or show up as a new dark spot that looks different from the rest of your moles
ABCDEs of melanoma can help you find it early
Outcome can be good when diagnosed early and properly treated
Merkel cell carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma often develops on the head or neck and can be mistaken for a sore.
Key facts about Merkel cell carcinoma
Often looks like a fast-growing bump, sore, or cyst, which can be red, pink, blue, or violet
Usually develops in white people who are 65 years of age or older, but can develop in people of all skin tones
Can grow quickly and spread
Can return after treatment
An early diagnosis and proper treatment offer the best outcome
Sebaceous carcinoma
Sebaceous carcinoma often develops on an eyelid and looks like a slowly growing stye.
Key facts about sebaceous carcinoma
Usually develops in people 65 years of age or older
Often develops on an eyelid as a painless, round, firm growth
Can return after treatment
Early diagnosis and proper treatment offer best outcome
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans often begins as a skin-colored, firm bump that grows over time.
Key facts about dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Slow-growing skin cancer
Develops equally in all races, usually in people 20 to 50 years of age
Often looks like a firm, raised bump that grows over time
Can return after treatment, but usually does not spread beyond the skin
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Related AAD resources
Skin cancer: Learn about symptoms, how skin cancer is diagnosed, and the causes.
Dermatologist reviewer bios
Nkanyezi Ferguson, MD, FAAD
A board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, Dr. Ferguson is well known for her expertise in:
Diagnosing and treating skin cancer
Performing advanced skin cancer surgeries
Providing individualized and culturally sensitive care for patients who have darker skin tones
Patients come to see her for her advanced surgical techniques, which can help to restore their appearance and function after surgery to remove difficult-to-treat skin cancers. She is also known for the specialized care that she provides patients with darker skin tones who see her for conditions that include keloids and hair loss.
Dr. Ferguson practices in Missouri at the University of Missouri, School of Medicine. There she is the Co-Medical Director of Dermatology Clinics, Director of Micrographic Dermatology Surgery, Associate Professor of Dermatology, and Fellowship Director for Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology.
Ata Moshiri, MD, MPH, FAAD
Board certified in dermatology and dermatopathology, Dr. Moshiri is well known for his expertise in:
Treating melanoma and pigmented skin growths
Melanoma research, which has led to advancements in patient care
Using technology and scientific advances to improve his patients’ outcomes
Patients know him for his proactive approach, which emphasizes early detection and innovative treatment. As a dermatopathologist (a specialist who diagnoses skin conditions by studying what your dermatologist removed during a skin biopsy), Dr. Moshiri is known as the doctor to whom dermatologists send their most difficult-to-diagnose biopsies.
Dr. Moshiri sees patients in New York City at NYU Langone Health, where he is Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology, Director of Dermatopathology Laboratory Operations, and Program Director of the Dermatology and Dermatopathology Fellowship Program.
Written by Paula Ludmann, MS
Paula has more than 20 years of experience writing about skin, hair, and nail conditions for patients and the public.
She enjoys developing easy-to-understand information that people can use to make informed health decisions.
Paula’s passion for creating patient-first information has led to her work being mentioned by Prevention magazine and the Washington Post. She has won numerous awards, including Webbies, Apex Awards, and several awards from professional organizations.
References
Anadolu-Brasie R, Patel AR, et al. “Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.” In Nouri K et al. Skin Cancer. McGraw Hill Medical, China, 2008:86-110.
Brewer JD, Appert DL, et al. “Merkel cell carcinoma.” In Nouri K et al. Skin Cancer. McGraw Hill Medical, China, 2008:182-3.
Cameron MC, Lee E, et al.” Basal cell carcinoma: Epidemiology; pathophysiology; clinical and histological subtypes; and disease associations.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019 Feb;80(2):303-17.
Halpern M, Chen E, et al. “Sarcomas.” In Nouri K. [editor]. Skin Cancer. United States. McGraw Hill Medical; 2008. p. 217-8.
Hassel JC, Enk AH. “Melanoma.” In: Kang S, Amagai M, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology (ninth edition). McGraw Hill Education, New York, 2019:1982-92.
Martinelli PT, Cohen PR, et al. “Sebaceous carcinoma.” In Nouri K. [editor]. Skin Cancer. United States. McGraw Hill Medical; 2008. p. 240-9.
McEvoy A, Nghiem P. “Merkel cell carcinoma.” In: Kang S, Amagai M, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology (ninth edition). McGraw Hill Education, New York, 2019:1920-1.
Nouri K, Ballard CJ, et al. “Basal cell carcinoma.” In: Nouri K, et al. Skin Cancer. McGraw Hill Medical, China, 2008: 61-81.
Wong JH, Alicea DS, et al. “Merkel cell carcinoma in skin of color patients: A case series.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025 Jul;93(1):283-5.
Image credits
Images 1, 2, 3: Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology’s Clinical Image Collection.
Images 4, 5, 6: Used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001 Sep; 45:309-12.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995 Jul; 33:1-15.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Feb; 62:247-56.