Skin cancer is when cancer cells grow in the skin. The two most
common kinds of skin cancer are: - Basal cell carcinoma—This is
the most common type of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma
develops in the outermost layer of skin. This cancer usually
grows slowly and does not spread to other tissues in the body. -
Squamous cell carcinoma—This cancer develops in the uppermost
layer of skin cells. Squamous cell carcinoma usually grows
slowly. However, in some cases it can grow fast and spread to
other tissues in the body. If treated early this type of cancer
is rarely fatal. However, the cancer can be fatal if it spreads
beyond the skin. It is important that skin cancers be found and
treated early. If left untreated, they can quickly invade and
destroy nearby tissue. Cancer occurs when skin cells in the body
divide without control or order. When cells keep dividing
uncontrollably when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue
forms. This is called a growth or tumor. Unlike benign tumors,
malignant tumors can invad