The Three Most Common Types of Skin Cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, but the good news is that when caught early, it's one of the most treatable. At Premier Dermatology & Aesthetics in New York, Dr. Adam Nabatian, a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon, emphasizes the importance of early detection and prevention through regular skin cancer screenings and patient education.
Understanding the different types of skin cancer can help you identify early warning signs and know when to seek care. The three most common forms are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma, each with distinct characteristics, risks, and treatment approaches.
Why Skin Cancer Awareness Matters
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Chronic sun exposure, tanning beds, and genetic predisposition all contribute to risk, but early recognition can make the difference between a simple outpatient procedure and a life-threatening illness.
Dr. Nabatian uses advanced diagnostic tools such as a dermatoscope to closely examine suspicious moles and lesions. This non-invasive device magnifies and illuminates the skin, revealing subtle pigment patterns and vascular structures that help identify cancerous or precancerous changes.
Routine full-body skin exams, ideally performed once a year, are your best defense. If you notice a new mole, a changing spot, or a sore that doesn’t heal, schedule a visit promptly.
1. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): The Most Common Skin Cancer
Basal cell carcinoma accounts for roughly 80% of all skin cancers. It develops from basal cells in the epidermis, which are responsible for producing new skin cells as old ones die off.
What Causes Basal Cell Carcinoma?
The primary cause is long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. BCC most often develops on sun-exposed areas such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, and shoulders. Fair-skinned individuals and those with a history of frequent sunburns are particularly at risk.
How to Recognize It
Basal cell carcinoma typically appears as:
A pearly or waxy bump with visible blood vessels
A flat, flesh-colored or pink patch that slowly enlarges
A sore that bleeds, scabs, and doesn’t heal
A scar-like area with a white, waxy appearance
BCC rarely spreads (metastasizes) to other organs. However, it can cause significant local damage if left untreated, invading deeper tissues or bone.
Treatment Options for BCC
At Premier Dermatology & Aesthetics, BCC treatment is tailored to the lesion’s size, depth, and location. Options may include:
Mohs micrographic surgery: Considered the gold standard treatment for high-risk or facial skin cancers, this precise technique removes cancer layer by layer under microscope guidance, ensuring the highest cure rate (up to 99%) while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible and minimizing scarring.
Surgical excision: The tumor is removed with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete clearance.
Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen may be used to freeze and destroy certain superficial BCCs.
Curettage and electrodessication: For certain superficial BCCs, the cancerous tissue is scraped away and the area cauterized.
Topical medications: Certain superficial BCCs can be treated with prescription creams like imiquimod or fluorouracil.
Light-based therapies: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can treat certain superficial BCCs
Radiation therapy may be recommended if surgery isn’t possible.
Early detection means smaller scars, less invasive treatment, and better cosmetic outcomes.
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): The Second Most Common Skin Cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most prevalent skin cancer, arising from the squamous cells that make up most of the skin’s outer layer. While less common than BCC, SCC can be more aggressive, particularly if ignored.
Causes and Risk Factors
Like BCC, SCC is primarily caused by cumulative sun exposure and tanning bed use, but additional factors increase risk:
Chronic wounds or scars
Exposure to radiation or certain chemicals (e.g., arsenic)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
Suppressed immune system (e.g., after organ transplant)
How to Recognize It
SCC often appears as:
A firm red bump or nodule
A scaly patch that crusts or bleeds
A non-healing sore on the lip, ear, or scalp
A wart-like growth that enlarges over time
While many cases remain localized, SCC can spread to lymph nodes or internal organs if untreated, especially in immunocompromised patients.
Treatment Options for SCC
Treatment depends on the tumor’s type, size, depth and location:
Mohs micrographic surgery, considered the gold standard treatment for high-risk or facial skin cancers, this precise technique removes cancer layer by layer under microscope guidance, ensuring the highest cure rate (up to 99%) while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible and minimizing scarring.
Surgical excision: The tumor is removed with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete clearance.
Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen may be used to freeze and destroy certain superficial SCCs (SCC in Situ).
Curettage and electrodessication: For certain superficial SCCs (SCC in Situ), the cancerous tissue is scraped away and the area cauterized.
Topical medications: Certain superficial SCCs (SCC in Situ) can be treated with prescription creams like imiquimod or fluorouracil.
Light-based therapies: Photodynamic therapy (PDT), can treat certain superficial SCCs (SCC in Situ) or pre-cancerous lesions like actinic keratoses.
Radiation therapy may be recommended if surgery isn’t possible.
At Premier Dermatology & Aesthetics, Dr. Nabatian combines medical precision with aesthetic expertise, ensuring optimal clearance with minimal scarring.
3. Melanoma: The Most Serious Form of Skin Cancer
Although melanoma represents only about 1% of all skin cancer cases, it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths. That’s because melanoma has the potential to spread quickly to lymph nodes and internal organs.
How Melanoma Develops
Melanoma begins in melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells that give skin its color. These cells can grow uncontrollably due to genetic mutations triggered by UV damage or other factors.
Early Detection: The ABCDEs of Melanoma
Dermatologists use the ABCDE mnemonic to help patients recognize concerning moles:
A – Asymmetry: One half doesn’t match the other.
B – Border: Edges are irregular, blurred, or notched.
C – Color: Varies with shades of brown, black, red, or white.
D – Diameter: Larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser).
E – Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms like itching or bleeding.
If you notice any of these signs or a mole that looks different from the rest, schedule a skin exam promptly.
Diagnosing Melanoma
Dr. Nabatian performs a dermatoscopic evaluation during a skin check, which allows him to visualize pigment networks and vascular structures invisible to the naked eye. Suspicious lesions are biopsied to confirm diagnosis and determine stage.
Treatment Options for Melanoma
Early-stage melanomas are usually removed surgically with clear margins in office.
Advanced cases may require immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation to stop cancer spread.
Follow-up skin exams every 3–6 months are crucial for early recurrence detection and to detect new skin cancers
When caught early, melanoma has a five-year survival rate of over 99%, reinforcing why regular professional screenings are so vital.
How to Protect Your Skin and Reduce Risk
While genetics play a role, most skin cancers are preventable with smart sun habits. Dr. Nabatian recommends:
Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every day, even in winter.
Reapplying every 2 hours when outdoors, or sooner if you are sweating or go swimming
Avoiding peak sun hours between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses.
Avoiding tanning beds, which emit harmful UVA/UVB rays.
Performing monthly self-skin checks and see your dermatologist annually.
Dr. Nabatian encourages patients to take an active role in their skin health by documenting moles and tracking changes over time.
Why Choose Premier Dermatology & Aesthetics for Skin Cancer Screenings
At Premier Dermatology & Aesthetics, you’ll receive expert care from Dr. Adam Nabatian a dermatologist and fellowship trained Mohs micrographic surgeon trained in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology, ensuring accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and exceptional cosmetic outcomes. Our office in Midtown Manhattan, located near Grand Central, offers state-of-the-art tools and a comfortable environment where patients can feel confident and cared for.
Whether you’re concerned about a new mole, a changing mole, or have a history of skin cancer, or simply want peace of mind, Dr. Nabatian provides comprehensive full-body skin exams to detect and treat problems early.
Call us at (212) 433-3788 or visit our website to schedule your skin cancer screening in New York City today.
