Skin Cancer

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. It occurs when melanocytes begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled fashion. Melanocytes are skin cells that produce melanin. Melanin is a pigment that protects our skin from sunlight. When melanocytes gather together, they appear as moles. The vast majority of moles are harmless. Melanomas can occur within a mole or appear in otherwise ordinary looking skin. As they grow, some melanoma cells may acquire the ability to break away from the main tumour and spread to other parts of the body.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are non-melanoma skin cancers or keratinocyte cancers. They are the most common form of cancer in Australia. Most are not life-threatening. Another group called keratocyte dysplasias include lesions like Bowen’s disease or squamous cell carcinoma in situ, and actinic or solar keratosis. These are not malignant but are signs of sun damaged skin in which invasive skin cancers may develop.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but aggressive skin cancer that most often appears on sun-exposed skin in older adults. It is treated with surgery, frequently combined with radiotherapy, and is managed by a multidisciplinary team experienced in uncommon skin cancers.

Beyond the common skin cancers, a number of uncommon tumours can arise in the skin and its glands, hair follicles and supporting tissues. These rare skin cancers need careful pathology review and specialist surgical planning, and are managed with input from a multidisciplinary team.