Skin Cancer: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Moles and Skin Cancer
This collection of photographs will help you tell the difference between normal moles (nevi, nevus) and melanoma skin cancer.
This collection of photographs will help you tell the difference between normal moles (nevi, nevus) and melanoma skin cancer.
Basal Cell Cancer Pictures
A collection of skin cancer pictures, specifically of basal cell carcinoma, the most common type.
A collection of skin cancer pictures, specifically of basal cell carcinoma, the most common type.
Melanoma Pictures
A collection of pictures (photographs, images, JPG) of the skin cancer melanoma.
A collection of pictures (photographs, images, JPG) of the skin cancer melanoma.
Symptoms of Skin Cancer
An easy-to-understand and concise guide to the signs and symptoms of skin cancer.
An easy-to-understand and concise guide to the signs and symptoms of skin cancer.
Non-Cancerous Lesions
A picture (image, photograph, JPG) of actinic keratosis on a person's arms.
A picture (image, photograph, JPG) of actinic keratosis on a person's arms.
Squamous Cell Cancer Pictures
A collection of photographs (images, pictures, JPG) of squamous cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer.
A collection of photographs (images, pictures, JPG) of squamous cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer.
The Stages of Melanoma
Staging is based on the size of a melanoma tumor and where and how far it has spread. It is critical for planning treatment. Learn more in this comprehensive overview.
Staging is based on the size of a melanoma tumor and where and how far it has spread. It is critical for planning treatment. Learn more in this comprehensive overview.
Clark and Breslow Numbers
Your doctor says that your melanoma is stage IIA (T2bN0M0), Clark level III and Breslow depth 2 mm. You wonder what foreign language she's speaking! Indeed, melanoma jargon can be confusing and exasperating. To help you understand why a particular treatment was chosen for you, here is a brief explanation of what these terms mean.
Your doctor says that your melanoma is stage IIA (T2bN0M0), Clark level III and Breslow depth 2 mm. You wonder what foreign language she's speaking! Indeed, melanoma jargon can be confusing and exasperating. To help you understand why a particular treatment was chosen for you, here is a brief explanation of what these terms mean.
Imiquimod
If your doctor has prescribed imiquimod (Aldara) for basal cell carcinoma or actinic keratosis, this introduction will arm you with all the information you need to effectively treat your cancer.
If your doctor has prescribed imiquimod (Aldara) for basal cell carcinoma or actinic keratosis, this introduction will arm you with all the information you need to effectively treat your cancer.
Melanoma Metastases
With surgery, melanoma confined to the skin is curable in the vast majority of cases. Unfortunately, if the lesion recurs (returns), gets thicker or spreads from the skin to the lymph nodes or distant organs, it becomes much more dangerous. This occurs in stage III and IV melanoma and is called "metastasis."
With surgery, melanoma confined to the skin is curable in the vast majority of cases. Unfortunately, if the lesion recurs (returns), gets thicker or spreads from the skin to the lymph nodes or distant organs, it becomes much more dangerous. This occurs in stage III and IV melanoma and is called "metastasis."
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Learn more about basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer, in this easy-to-understand overview.
Learn more about basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer, in this easy-to-understand overview.
Efudex Cream
If your doctor has prescribed Efudex, Carac (5-fluorouracil) for your basal cell carcinoma or actinic keratosis, this introduction will arm you with the information you need to use it effectively and safely.
If your doctor has prescribed Efudex, Carac (5-fluorouracil) for your basal cell carcinoma or actinic keratosis, this introduction will arm you with the information you need to use it effectively and safely.
LDH Test for Melanoma
Did your doctor order an LDH test? This guide will explain what the test measures, what the results mean, and its effectiveness in detecting metastasis in melanoma skin cancer.
Did your doctor order an LDH test? This guide will explain what the test measures, what the results mean, and its effectiveness in detecting metastasis in melanoma skin cancer.
Treating Skin Cancers
An easy-to-understand introduction to the most common treatment options for non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.
An easy-to-understand introduction to the most common treatment options for non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.
Melanoma
Melanoma skin cancer is the most aggressive type of skin cancer. Learn more about melanoma in this overview, including subtypes, growth pattern, diagnosis, and treatments.
Melanoma skin cancer is the most aggressive type of skin cancer. Learn more about melanoma in this overview, including subtypes, growth pattern, diagnosis, and treatments.
Skin Cancer Diagnosis
An easy-to-understand introduction to the methods of diagnosing skin cancer.
An easy-to-understand introduction to the methods of diagnosing skin cancer.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with SCC, this overview will help you better understand the disease and make more informed treatment choices.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with SCC, this overview will help you better understand the disease and make more informed treatment choices.
Treating Early-Stage Melanoma
Learn more about common treatment options for stage 0, I or II melanomas localized to the skin or to local lymph nodes.
Learn more about common treatment options for stage 0, I or II melanomas localized to the skin or to local lymph nodes.
Interferon Side Effects
Tips for coping with the side effects of interferon-alfa2b for patients with melanoma skin cancer.
Tips for coping with the side effects of interferon-alfa2b for patients with melanoma skin cancer.
Ipilimumab
Ipilimumab has been tested in multiple clinical trials for many years and appears to finally be on the verge of FDA approval, perhaps as early as 2010. That's certainly good news for patients with melanoma, who have few options once the disease spreads to other areas of the body.
Ipilimumab has been tested in multiple clinical trials for many years and appears to finally be on the verge of FDA approval, perhaps as early as 2010. That's certainly good news for patients with melanoma, who have few options once the disease spreads to other areas of the body.
Skin Self-Exams
Answers to five commonly asked questions about performing a skin self-exam to detect skin cancer in its early, treatable stages.
Answers to five commonly asked questions about performing a skin self-exam to detect skin cancer in its early, treatable stages.
Treatment of Advanced Melanoma
Learn more about common metastatic melanoma treatment options for patients with stage III or IV disease.
Learn more about common metastatic melanoma treatment options for patients with stage III or IV disease.
What is Skin Cancer?
What is skin cancer? This introductory article provides an easy-to-follow answer for patients, including the different types of skin cancer and their causes, symptoms and treatments.
What is skin cancer? This introductory article provides an easy-to-follow answer for patients, including the different types of skin cancer and their causes, symptoms and treatments.
CT, MRI and PET Scans
An introduction to CT, MRI and PET scans for patients newly diagnosed with melanoma.
An introduction to CT, MRI and PET scans for patients newly diagnosed with melanoma.
Mitotic Rate
The mitotic rate is a measurement of how fast tumor cells are dividing in patients with melanoma. Learn more about how it is used in diagnosis and how it can predict survival.
The mitotic rate is a measurement of how fast tumor cells are dividing in patients with melanoma. Learn more about how it is used in diagnosis and how it can predict survival.
Interleukin-2
If your doctor has recommended interleukin-2 to treat your stage IV melanoma, this overview will arm you with the critical information you need to understand how it works, its effectiveness and its side effects.
If your doctor has recommended interleukin-2 to treat your stage IV melanoma, this overview will arm you with the critical information you need to understand how it works, its effectiveness and its side effects.
Less Common Treatments
Learn about less commonly used treatments for basal and squamous cell skin cancers such as radiation, photodynamic therapy, cryosurgery, and laser ablation therapy.
Learn about less commonly used treatments for basal and squamous cell skin cancers such as radiation, photodynamic therapy, cryosurgery, and laser ablation therapy.
Melanoma Trials
Learn more about the five most promising new drugs in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of advanced and metastatic (stage III and IV) melanoma.
Learn more about the five most promising new drugs in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of advanced and metastatic (stage III and IV) melanoma.
Skin Cancer Biopsy
If the lesion on your skin appears potentially cancerous, your doctor will take a sample from the suspicious area for examination under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. Learn more about the various types of skin biopsies in this overview.
If the lesion on your skin appears potentially cancerous, your doctor will take a sample from the suspicious area for examination under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. Learn more about the various types of skin biopsies in this overview.
Diclofenac
If your doctor has prescribed diclofenac (Solaraze) for your actinic (or solar) keratosis, this introduction will arm you with all the information you need to use it effectively and safely.
If your doctor has prescribed diclofenac (Solaraze) for your actinic (or solar) keratosis, this introduction will arm you with all the information you need to use it effectively and safely.
Treatment of Skin Cancer
An overview of the available types of skin cancer treatment, including treatments for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
An overview of the available types of skin cancer treatment, including treatments for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
What is Actinic Keratosis?
What is actinic keratosis?
What is actinic keratosis?
What are keratinocytes?
What are keratinocytes?
What are keratinocytes?
5 Facts About Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is often considered a "mild" type of cancer -- readily treatable and nothing much to worry about. However, it should never be taken lightly. What you don't know about skin cancer may disfigure or even kill you.
Skin cancer is often considered a "mild" type of cancer -- readily treatable and nothing much to worry about. However, it should never be taken lightly. What you don't know about skin cancer may disfigure or even kill you.
Interferon-alfa2b
Learn more about interferon-alfa2b, the only approved drug for the adjuvant (post-surgery) treatment of patients with high-risk melanoma in danger of recurring (coming back).
Learn more about interferon-alfa2b, the only approved drug for the adjuvant (post-surgery) treatment of patients with high-risk melanoma in danger of recurring (coming back).
Rare Skin Cancers
Basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma may get all the attention, but there are other types of skin cancer that are much more rare: cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, sebaceous gland carcinoma, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
Basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma may get all the attention, but there are other types of skin cancer that are much more rare: cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, sebaceous gland carcinoma, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
What is a spitz nevus?
What is a spitz nevus?
What is a spitz nevus?
Avoid Tanning Salons
Research shows that using tanning salons increases your risk of squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. This article describes the details of the link and refutes the claims of the tanning industry.
Research shows that using tanning salons increases your risk of squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. This article describes the details of the link and refutes the claims of the tanning industry.
Lymph Node
What is a lymph node?
What is a lymph node?
Adjuvant Interferon
Is interferon-alpha2b for treating melanoma after surgery right for you? Here are some of the pros and cons of interferon treatment to discuss with your doctor.
Is interferon-alpha2b for treating melanoma after surgery right for you? Here are some of the pros and cons of interferon treatment to discuss with your doctor.
Symptoms of Basal Cell Cancer
What are the symptoms of basal cell carcinoma? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about basal cell skin cancer, the most common type of skin cancer. Also includes basal cell skin cancer pictures.
What are the symptoms of basal cell carcinoma? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about basal cell skin cancer, the most common type of skin cancer. Also includes basal cell skin cancer pictures.
Rare Risks for Skin Cancer
Besides ultraviolet light, a variety of diseases, skin conditions, chemicals, and medicines can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
Besides ultraviolet light, a variety of diseases, skin conditions, chemicals, and medicines can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
Melanoma Chemotherapy
A patient's guide to the various chemotherapy drugs used to treat metastatic melanoma skin cancer.
A patient's guide to the various chemotherapy drugs used to treat metastatic melanoma skin cancer.
Dacarbazine
Chemotherapy with dacarbazine is currently the only FDA-approved chemotherapy drug for metastatic melanoma. Learn more about its use and side effects in this overview.
Chemotherapy with dacarbazine is currently the only FDA-approved chemotherapy drug for metastatic melanoma. Learn more about its use and side effects in this overview.
Melanoma Cancer Genetics
A number of genetic factors are being investigated for their role in melanoma skin cancer, including inherited genes as well genetic defects that are acquired from excessive sun exposure.
A number of genetic factors are being investigated for their role in melanoma skin cancer, including inherited genes as well genetic defects that are acquired from excessive sun exposure.
Skin Cancer Risk Factors
People of any age, race, or skin color can develop nonmelanoma skin cancers such as basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. However, the likelihood of developing these diseases increases when you have one or more of these risk factors.
People of any age, race, or skin color can develop nonmelanoma skin cancers such as basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. However, the likelihood of developing these diseases increases when you have one or more of these risk factors.
What is a clinical trial?
What is a clinical trial?
What is a clinical trial?
What is a nevus?
What is a nevus?
What is a nevus?
What is the Immune System?
What is the immune system? A definition for laypeople, from a skin cancer perspective.
What is the immune system? A definition for laypeople, from a skin cancer perspective.
Melanoma Risk Factors
Researchers have found several risk factors that alone or in combination may make you more likely to develop melanoma skin cancer.
Researchers have found several risk factors that alone or in combination may make you more likely to develop melanoma skin cancer.
Preventing Skin Cancer
A short, simple introduction to preventing skin cancer.
A short, simple introduction to preventing skin cancer.
Adjuvant Therapy for Melanoma
After successful surgery for melanoma, the key goal of so-called "adjuvant" therapies is to prevent the cancer from coming back.
After successful surgery for melanoma, the key goal of so-called "adjuvant" therapies is to prevent the cancer from coming back.
What is Chemotherapy?
What is chemotherapy?
What is chemotherapy?
Life After Treatment
Congratulations! You've battled melanoma and you've won. But are you ready for what's next?
Congratulations! You've battled melanoma and you've won. But are you ready for what's next?
What is Ipilimumab?
What is ipilimumab?
What is ipilimumab?
Adoptive Cell Transfer
A new technique called adoptive cell transfer may revolutionize melanoma treatment in the future.
A new technique called adoptive cell transfer may revolutionize melanoma treatment in the future.
Temozolomide
Temozolomide is used in patients with melanoma that has metastasized (spread) to the brain or nervous system. Learn more about its use, efficacy, and side effects in this overview.
Temozolomide is used in patients with melanoma that has metastasized (spread) to the brain or nervous system. Learn more about its use, efficacy, and side effects in this overview.
Sun Safety 101
How much sun is too much? Who is most at risk? What are the most effective ways to protect yourself? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about sun safety.
How much sun is too much? Who is most at risk? What are the most effective ways to protect yourself? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about sun safety.
Melanoma in the Young
Contrary to popular belief, melanoma skin cancer afflicts people of all ages. We turned to an expert, Robert A. Weiss, MD, to provide some perspective on the impact of melanoma on young people -- and what they can do about it.
Contrary to popular belief, melanoma skin cancer afflicts people of all ages. We turned to an expert, Robert A. Weiss, MD, to provide some perspective on the impact of melanoma on young people -- and what they can do about it.
Skin Cancer and Minorities
People of all races and skin colors can get skin cancer. If that fact surprises you, you're not alone.
People of all races and skin colors can get skin cancer. If that fact surprises you, you're not alone.
Macule
What is a macule?
What is a macule?
Basal Cell Cancer Diagnosis
How is basal cell cancer diagnosed? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.
How is basal cell cancer diagnosed? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.
CLND
If a sentinel node biopsy shows that your melanoma has spread, should you remove the remaining lymph nodes? It's not an easy decision, and these pros and cons may help.
If a sentinel node biopsy shows that your melanoma has spread, should you remove the remaining lymph nodes? It's not an easy decision, and these pros and cons may help.
Skin Cancer - Articles
An index of articles for the Skin Cancer guide site.
An index of articles for the Skin Cancer guide site.
Smoking and Skin Cancer
Did you know that tobacco use can triple your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma? This article explains the link.
Did you know that tobacco use can triple your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma? This article explains the link.
What is a Margin?
What is a margin?
What is a margin?
What is immunotherapy?
What is immunotherapy?
What is immunotherapy?
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
Adjuvant Treatment
What is adjuvant treatment?
What is adjuvant treatment?
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you've been diagnosed with skin cancer, you need to ask your healthcare provider these questions about their treatment decisions. An informed patient is an empowered patient!
If you've been diagnosed with skin cancer, you need to ask your healthcare provider these questions about their treatment decisions. An informed patient is an empowered patient!
What is a Dermatologist?
What is a dermatologist?
What is a dermatologist?
Squamous Cell Treatment
How is squamous cell skin cancer treated? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about one of the most common types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.
How is squamous cell skin cancer treated? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about one of the most common types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.
Sunburn
Quick tips for treating red, itchy, peeling sunburned skin.
Quick tips for treating red, itchy, peeling sunburned skin.
Apoptosis
What is apoptosis?
What is apoptosis?
Squamous Cell: Diagnosis
What is squamous cell skin cancer? How is it diagnosed? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about one of the most common types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.
What is squamous cell skin cancer? How is it diagnosed? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about one of the most common types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an easy way to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. This article corrects the many myths that exist about the use and effectiveness of sunscreen.
Sunscreen is an easy way to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. This article corrects the many myths that exist about the use and effectiveness of sunscreen.
Basal Cell Cancer Treatments
How is basal cell cancer treated? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.
How is basal cell cancer treated? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.
What is Basal Cell Skin Cancer
What is basal cell skin cancer? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.
What is basal cell skin cancer? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.
Symptoms- -Squamous Skin Cancer
What are the symptoms of squamous cell skin cancer? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about one of the most common types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.
What are the symptoms of squamous cell skin cancer? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about one of the most common types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.
What is lymphoscintigraphy?
What is lymphoscintigraphy?
What is lymphoscintigraphy?
What is SPF?
What is SPF?
What is SPF?
CTLA-4
What is CTLA-4?
What is CTLA-4?
Erythema Solare
What is erythema solare?
What is erythema solare?
What is a GM-CSF?
What is a granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor?
What is a granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor?
Squamous Cell Skin Cancer
What is squamous cell skin cancer? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about one of the most common types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.
What is squamous cell skin cancer? Part of a series of answers to frequently asked questions about one of the most common types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.