What are cancer, skin cancer and tumours?
Cancer is a disease of the cells in the body. The body is made up from millions of tiny cells. There are many different types of cell in the body, and there are many different types of cancer which arise from different types of cell. What all types of cancer have in common is that the cancer cells are abnormal and multiply 'out of control'.
Skin cancers are divided into:
- Melanoma ('malignant melanoma'). This type of skin cancer develops from melanocytes.
- Non-melanoma. These are divided into:
*Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) - skin cancer which develops from basal cells.
*Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) - skin cancer which develops from keratinocytes.
*Other - other types of skin cancer are rare.
A malignant tumour is a 'lump' or 'growth' of tissue made up from cancer cells which continue to multiply. Malignant tumours invade into nearby tissues and organs which can cause damage.
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Where to next?
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Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
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How can I protect skin from the sun?
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How is melanoma assessed and staged
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Melanoma (Malignant Melanoma)
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Staging of melanoma
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Sun and health
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Sun and Health: More help
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Sun and Health: Some things that you might not realise
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Understanding the skin
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What are cancer, skin cancer and tumours?
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What are the possible problems from the sun?
