Non-melanoma skin cancer is a general term that is used to refer to a group of skin cancers that affect the upper layers of skin.
The term 'non-melanoma' is used to distinguish less serious types of skin cancers from a rarer and more aggressive type of skin cancer known as malignant melanoma.
Types of non-melanoma skin cancer
The two most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer are listed below.
- Basal cell carcinoma - which affects the cells at the bottom layer of the skin's surface (the epidermis).
- Squamous cell carcinoma - which affects the cells at the surface of the skin.
There are also a number of rarer types of non-melanoma skin cancer, such as Kaposi's sarcoma.
The most significant risk factor for developing either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, is over-exposure to sunlight. The use of sunbeds and sunlamps can also increase your risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer, as well as the most serious type of skin cancer, malignant melanoma.
How common is non-melanoma skin cancer?
Non-melanoma skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK. It is estimated that there are 100,000 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer every year in the UK.
Basal cell carcinomas account for 75% of all cases of skin cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma account for 20% of all cases.
Prognosis
The prognosis for non-melanoma skin cancer is usually very good. Unlike most other types of cancer there is a considerably lower risk that the cancer will spread to other parts of the body (metastasis).
It is estimated that basal cell carcinoma will spread to other parts of the body in less than 0.5% of cases. The risk is slightly higher in cases of squamous cell cancer, with metastasis occurring in about 4% of cases.
Approximately 90% of people with basal cell carcinoma will achieve a complete cure. Between 70-90% of people with squamous cell carcinoma will achieve a complete cure.
Treatments for non-melanoma skin cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
