Different types of skin cancer have certain signs and symptoms. The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. They each have different kinds of symptoms that help the cancer specialists to determine the nature of the problem.

• Basal cell carcinoma

The UV rays from the sun cannot pass the ozone layer entirely but do manage to affect the living things under it to a certain extent. Prolonged exposure to the sun over long periods causes damage to the DNA cells. The symptoms of this include yellow raised patches of itchy skin or the appearance of shiny translucent bumps on the back of the neck or face. The lesions sometimes have raised borders and are crusty and itchy.

• Squamous cell carcinoma

Like most of the different types of skin cancer, this occurs due to exposure to sunlight. This is one of the most common types of skin cancer, accounting for around 20% of the cases. People with a low immune system are more likely to get diagnosed with this type of skin cancer. This cancer shows some specific signs on the skin, like red sores on the skin, rough patch inside the mouth or even changes in an existing scar.

• Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the most common and highly dangerous forms of skin cancer. When the Melanin cells are damaged over a longer period of time, the protection quality of the cells decreases. This increases the chances of cancer growth in and around the skin. The signs of this type of cancer are the appearance of a mole on the skin, itchiness on the skin, and blurry vision.

Aside from the three main types, there are some different types of skin cancer. The symptoms of the different types of skin cancer are:-

• Actinic keratosis

These form in the exposed areas such as the face, the back of the hands or on the scalp. These aren’t completely developed cancers and approximately 10% of this type grows into squamous skin carcinoma later. They look like crusty or scaly wounds that form on naked skin.

• Dermatofibrosarcoma

The dermatofibrosarcoma is seen in the middle layer of the skin or the dermis. Amongst the different types of skin cancer, it is considered the safest. A pimple-like growth forms on the skin but does not hurt or itch and starts growing in size.

• Atypical fibroxanthoma

It is a type of skin cancer that forms in the back of the neck and head. Signs of this cancer appear mostly among older, fairer men. People with a low immune system can easily develop this type of cancer. It starts as a small nodule that grows in size over a few months by 2-3cm.

• Merkel cell carcinoma

Of the different types of skin cancer, the one that affects the healthy Merkel cells in the epidermis or the outermost layer of the skin. It is a rare form of skin cancer but is difficult to cure. a visible growth is created on the skin in the form of a purple or red-colored nodule.

There are many more subdivisions on the types of skin cancer depending on where they form. All of them have certain signs that help to identify and cure them.