Dermatology

Non-melanoma skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer mainly comprises basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; distinguish their behaviour, refer appropriately and treat histologically confirmed disease according to site and risk.

Definition

Non-melanoma skin cancer is a group of keratinocyte malignancies, chiefly basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, with actinic keratosis and Bowen disease representing precursor or in-situ disease on the same pathway.

First principles

BCC and cSCC are not interchangeable

BCC is common, locally destructive and rarely metastatic; cSCC has greater potential for nodal and distant spread, especially when high risk. Actinic keratosis and Bowen disease are precursor/in-situ lesions on the keratinocyte pathway.

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