Our online Learning Center has up-to-date, evidence-based information about numerous topics related to skin cancer, including diagnostic tests, treatment options, management of treatment side effects, and more.

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These resources are not a substitute for the guidance of your physician but can help you learn more about skin cancer and what to expect during treatment. All content is provided courtesy of the Mayo Clinic Health Library.

There are three common types of skin center, and each has different signs and symptoms. 

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Most commonly found on sun-exposed areas like the neck or face

• Pearly or waxy bump
• Flat, flesh-colored, or brown scar-like lesion

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Most commonly found on sun-exposed areas like the neck or face

• A firm, red nodule
• A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface

Melanoma

Can develop anywhere on your body, on normal skin, or on a mole. Often appears on the face or the trunk of affected men and on the lower legs of women

• Large brownish spot with darker speckles
• A Mole that changes in color, size or feel, or that bleeds
• A small lesion with irregular borders and portions that appear red, white, blue, or blue-black
• Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips, or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina, or anus

The risk factors for all three types of skin cancer are similar and include:

• Excessive sun exposure 
• Exposure to certain substances
• Exposure to radiation
• Fair skin
• Family history of skin cancer
• History of sunburns 
• Moles
• Personal history of skin cancer
• Precancerous skin lesions
• Spending time in sunny or high-altitude climates
• Weakened immune system

There are two primary methods used to diagnose skin cancer:

• Physical skin exam, performed by your doctor
• Skin biopsy, or removal of a small sample of skin to be tested in the lab

Surgery & Procedures

There are a number of different procedures that can be used to remove skin cancer cells:

• Curettage and Electrodesiccation or Cryotherapy: The use of a circular blade to scrape away layers of cancer cells while an electric needle destroys any remaining cancer cells.
• Excisional Surgery: The removal of cancerous tissue and a surrounding margin of healthy skin.
• Freezing: Use of liquid nitrogen to destroy cancer cells.
• Mohs surgery: removal of the skin layer by layer to avoid removal of too much healthy skin
• Each layer is examined under the microscope. 
• Removal stops when all cancerous cells have been removed/only healthy skin remains.
• Photodynamic Therapy: destruction of cells with laser light and drugs that make cancer cells sensitive to light.

Medical Oncology

Chemotherapy for skin cancers involves the use of medications to shrink or kill cancerous cells. Systemic chemotherapy can be given intravenously (IV) or by pill. Your doctor may also recommend creams or lotions containing anti-cancer agents. There are also biological therapies - which use your body's immune system to kill cancer cells - for certain types of skin cancer.

The board-certified medical oncologists, nurses, and technicians at Connecticut Oncology Group provide the most effective, advanced care with warm, personal attention and support for patients and their families. In addition, your medical oncology team will work closely with your other providers and help provide access to clinical trials.

Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncology is the highly-controlled use of radiation to cure or treat symptoms of skin cancer.

Learn more about radiation therapy options at Middlesex