Info
Skin cancer
Basics
What it means
A group of cancers that develop in the cells of the skin, most commonly basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It is mainly caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Unlike melanoma, it rarely spreads to distant sites.
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- Melanoma
- A type of cancer that starts in the melanocytes, the cells that produce the skin's pigment. It is a form of skin cancer with the potential to spread quickly if it is not detected and treated in time.
- Adenocarcinoma
- A subtype of carcinoma that arises in glandular cells, that is, cells that produce or secrete certain substances. It can appear in organs such as the lung, colon, pancreas or prostate.
- Benign tumor
- A growth that does not invade the surrounding tissues and does not produce metastases. Although it may sometimes need treatment or monitoring, a benign tumor is not considered cancer.
Other terms in “Basics”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.