Melanoma and non-melanoma are two primary categories of skin cancer. Each presents different symptoms and treatment options.
Within the non-melanoma skin cancer – sometimes referred to as NMSC – category, the two most common types are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). While both are common forms of non-melanoma skin cancer, they differ in their risk factors, appearance and treatment options.
What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of non-melanoma skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of all non-melanoma skin cancer cases. It develops in the basal cells, which are in the bottom layer – or the innermost layer – of the epidermis. The epidermis is the thin, outer layer of the skin that acts like a waterproof barrier for your body.
Most often, basal cell carcinoma develops because of prolonged exposure to the sun. Fair skinned people have less melanin in their skin to protect against the sun’s rays. Because of this, they are more likely to get basal cell carcinoma.
However, basal cell carcinoma can impact people with other risk factors, including:
- Weakened immune system
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- Family history of the disease
What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
While squamous cell carcinoma is less common than basal cell carcinoma, it is a common type of non-melanoma skin cancer. It is a serious form of skin cancer.
In the upper layers of the epidermis lives squamous cells. These are the cells that make up the outer layer of the skin. Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma occurs from prolonged exposure to the sun. This type of non-melanoma skin cancer tends to be more common in people with fair skin as well.
Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma can also present in people who have a family history of non-melanoma skin cancer, a weakened immune system, or exposure to certain chemicals.
Basal Cell Carcinoma vs. Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Physical Characteristics
When you see lesions from basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, they look similar. However, there are some key differences between the two types of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma typically appears as a small, raised bump that may be pearly or waxy. It may also have a central depression and visible blood vessels.
Squamous cell carcinoma may look like a scaly patch, raised bump, or a sore that doesn’t heal. It may also have crust or bleeding.
- Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
| a non-surgical alternative for those with basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. This treatment option targets low-energy X-rays to cancer cells, without damaging the deeper tissues around it.
Over the course of several office visits, patients will receive treatment via SRT. However, as there is no cutting or scarring, patients can go about their lives between treatment sessions. SRT treatment can be effective for certain cases of basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma with clinical studies showing nonrecurrence rates of 98.9%. Older patients, for example, may be good candidates for SRT treatment, as it does not require anesthesia or surgery. Depending on the location of the non-melanoma skin cancer, SRT may be the optimal treatment option due to the lack of scarring or potential need for reconstructive surgery
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