DermatologyPending review

Non-melanoma skin cancer

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma both arise from UV-driven DNA damage to epidermal keratinocytes, but their different cell of origin means BCC grows slowly and almost never metastasises while SCC can invade and spread, a distinction that dictates how urgently each is referred.

In a nutshell

Both BCC and SCC arise from UV-mutated keratinocytes, but BCC comes from basal stem cells that mostly keep their slow growth programme, while SCC comes from actively dividing cells that progress through dysplasia to invasive, potentially metastasising disease.

Classic presentation

An older adult with a slowly growing pearly, telangiectatic nodule on sun-exposed skin (BCC) or a faster-growing, crusted, tender nodule (SCC).

Key points

BCC rarely metastasises; SCC can spread via dermal lymphatics once it breaches the basement membrane.

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Educational content pending clinical review. Not medical advice.