Your treatment options are determined by the type of skin cancer you have. Certain types skin cancers originate in different layers of the skin (epidermis). For instance:
- Squamous cells: these cells form inner lining below the outer surface.
- Basal cells: these lie beneath the squamous layer and produce new skin cells.
- Melanocytes: these cells located in the deeper of epidermis and produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin colour and help to absorb light. The more you are exposed to sun, the more melanin these cells produce in order to protect your skin.
Which type of cell becomes cancerous determines the type of treatment. Some are less harmless than others, but skin cancer grows and can spread to other parts of the body. All skin cancers require some form treatment. There are three main types of skin cancer, see below for more details.