Skin cancer is life-threatening, as it occurs because of a combination of external (UV rays from the sun) and internal (cells generating themselves wildly) factors. Different types of cancers are formed in human bodies due to various factors. Some of these cancers are common and can be found on the visible layer of the skin.

The three main types of skin cancer include:

• Basal cell carcinoma
  Basic cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It is curable in its early stages and does not spread to other parts of the body. It, however, may spread into the bone and the nearby tissue. Damage to the DNA caused by the UV rays of the sun over many years results in this type of skin cancer.
• Squamous cell carcinoma
  It is the second-most common form of skin cancer. It develops in the outer layer or epidermis of the skin. Around 20% of the non-melanoma cases account for SCC. They develop in flat squamous cells in areas of the skin that are most exposed to sunlight, like the face or neck. Keratoacanthomas and Bowen’s disease are the two types of squamous cell carcinoma.
• Melanoma
  This skin cancer forms in the cells that produce melanin, a pigment in the skin which creates color. The melanin causes the skin to darken in the inner layers in response to the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Melanoma, unlike the other most common types of skin cancer, can multiply rapidly and can sometimes spread to the inner organs of the body. Other areas of the body where malignant melanoma can appear are the intestines, mouth, and eye.

The lesser-known types of skin cancer include:

• Merkel cell carcinoma
  Although this is a rare type of skin cancer, it is quite dangerous. It forms in the Merkel cells found in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin.
• Dermatofibrosarcoma
  Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is another uncommon skin cancer that forms in the middle layer of the skin, the dermis. The survival rate with this cancer is high, as it grows and spreads rather slowly.
• Atypical fibroxanthoma
  Out of the different types of skin cancer, these small tender reddish-pink bumps form on the neck and head. They are very uncommon and affect mainly older men.
• Extramammary Paget
  It is a rare type of skin cancer that develops near the anus.
• Paget disease of the nipple
  As the name suggests, this skin cancer originates in the skin under the nipple. This further develops into the milk ducts, causing breast cancer.
• Cutaneous lymphoma
  Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that occurs when white blood cells in the body (lymphocytes) mutate into cancer cells. Sometimes, the lymphocytes get affected near the skin, causing a rare type of skin cancer.

Different types of skin cancer are classified depending on the nature, location, and cause. Most of them are visible and can be spotted in their early stages. Therefore, going to a dermatologist helps figure out the next step of treatment.