Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Skin Cancer: An Overview

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Handbook of Oncobiology: From Basic to Clinical Sciences

  • 101 Accesses

Abstract

Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer, comprising two major types: non-melanoma and melanoma. The major cause behind development of skin cancer is the continuous and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiations. Screening and early detection of skin cancer is very crucial for the treatment of this disorder. Treatments involve the usage of topical drugs, photodynamic therapy, radiotherapy, other than surgery. The most significant preventive measure to avoid skin cancer is minimal exposure to ultraviolet radiations. Through the course of this chapter, we will discuss about the types, classifications, epidemiology, mechanisms of skin cancer development, screening, diagnosis, treatments, and preventive measures for skin cancer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

AK:

Actinic keratosis

ASIP:

Agouti signaling protein

BCC:

Basal cell carcinoma

CDK4:

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4

CDKN2A:

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A

CMM:

Cutaneous malignant melanoma

GPX:

Glutathione peroxidase

HT:

Helical tomotherapy

MC1R:

Melanocortin 1 receptor

MCC:

Merkel cell carcinoma

NMSC:

Non-melanoma skin cancer

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SCC:

Squamous cell carcinoma

SHH:

Sonic hedgehog

TGF-β:

Transforming growth factor-β

TLR:

Toll-like receptor

TYR:

tyrosinase

TYRP1:

Tyrosinase-related protein 1

UV:

Ultraviolet

References

  • Apalla Z, Lallas A, Sotiriou E, Lazaridou E, Ioannides D (2017) Epidemiological trends in skin cancer. Dermatol Pract Concept 7(2):1–6

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Argenziano G, Soyer HP, Chimenti S, Talamini R, Corona R, Sera F, Binder M, Cerroni L, De Rosa G, Ferrara G, Hofmann-Wellenhof R, Landthaler M, Menzies SW, Pehamberger H, Piccolo D, Rabinovitz HS, Schiffner R, Staibano S, Stolz W, Bartenjev I, Kopf AW (2003) Dermoscopy of pigmented skin lesions: results of a consensus meeting via the internet. J Am Acad Dermatol 48(5):679–693

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Athar M, Tang X, Lee JL, Kopelovich L, Kim AL (2006) Hedgehog signalling in skin development and cancer. Exp Dermatol 15(9):667–677

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barnhill RL, Mihm MC Jr (1993) The histopathology of cutaneous malignant melanoma. Semin Diagn Pathol 10(1):47–75

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Becker JC, Zur Hausen A (2014) Cells of origin in skin cancer. J Investig Dermatol 134(10):2491–2493

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berhane T, Halliday GM, Cooke B, Barnetson RSC (2002) Inflammation is associated with progression of actinic keratoses to squamous cell carcinomas in humans. Br J Dermatol 146(5):810–815

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop BN, Lynch DT (2021) Kaposi Sarcoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolshakov S, Walker CM, Strom SS, Selvan MS, Clayman GL, El-Naggar A, Lippman SM, Kripke ML, Ananthaswamy HN (2003) p53 mutations in human aggressive and nonaggressive basal and squamous cell carcinomas. Clin Cancer Res 9(1):228–234

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brady M, Spiker AM (2018) Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronner MP, Culin C, Reed JC, Furth EE (1995) The bcl-2 proto-oncogene and the gastrointestinal epithelial tumor progression model. Am J Pathol 146(1):20

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Callen JP, Bickers DR, Moy RL (1997) Actinic keratoses. J Am Acad Dermatol 36(4):650–653

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen AC, Halliday GM, Damian DL (2013) Non-melanoma skin cancer: carcinogenesis and chemoprevention. Pathology 45(3):331–341

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen DK, Lee PK (2016) Photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin cancers. Cancers 8(10):90

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cowen EW, Nguyen JC, Miller DD, McShane D, Arron ST, Prose NS et al (2010) Chronic phototoxicity and aggressive squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in children and adults during treatment with voriconazole. J Am Acad Dermatol 62(1):31–37

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crowson AN (2006) Basal cell carcinoma: biology, morphology and clinical implications. Mod Pathol 19(2):S127–S147

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • de Vries E, Trakatelli M, Kalabalikis D, Ferrandiz L, Ruiz-de-Casas A, Moreno-Ramirez D et al (2012) Known and potential new risk factors for skin cancer in European populations: a multicentre case–control study. Br J Dermatol 167:1–13

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diepgen TL, Mahler V (2002) The epidemiology of skin cancer. Br J Dermatol 146:1–6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duarte AF, Sousa-Pinto B, Azevedo LF, Barros AM, Puig S, Malvehy J, Haneke E, Correia O (2021) Clinical ABCDE rule for early melanoma detection. Eur J Dermatol 31(6):771–778

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dubas LE, Ingraffea A (2013) Nonmelanoma skin cancer. Facial Plast Surg Clin 21(1):43–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duffy DL, Zhao ZZ, Sturm RA, Hayward NK, Martin NG, Montgomery GW (2010) Multiple pigmentation gene polymorphisms account for a substantial proportion of risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma. J Investig Dermatol 130(2):520–528

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman RJ, Rigel DS, Kopf AW (1985) Early detection of malignant melanoma: the role of physician examination and self-examination of the skin. CA Cancer J Clin 35(3):130–151

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Godic A, PoljÅ¡ak B, Adamic M, Dahmane R (2014) The role of antioxidants in skin cancer prevention and treatment. Oxidative Med Cell Longev 2014:860479

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gong HZ, Zheng HY, Li J (2019) Amelanotic melanoma. Melanoma Res 29(3):221–230

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gross K, Kircik L, Kricorian G (2007) 5% 5-fluorouracil cream for the treatment of small superficial basal cell carcinoma: efficacy, tolerability, cosmetic outcome, and patient satisfaction. Dermatol Surg 33(4):433–440

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gudbjartsson DF, Sulem P, Stacey SN, Goldstein AM, Rafnar T, Sigurgeirsson B, Benediktsdottir KR, Thorisdottir K, Ragnarsson R, Sveinsdottir SG, Magnusson V, Lindblom A, Kostulas K, Botella-Estrada R, Soriano V, Juberías P, Grasa M, Saez B, Andres R, Scherer D et al (2008) ASIP and TYR pigmentation variants associate with cutaneous melanoma and basal cell carcinoma. Nat Genet 40(7):886–891

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henderson BW, Dougherty TJ (1992) How does photodynamic therapy work? Photochem Photobiol 55(1):145–157

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hodges A, Smoller BR (2002) Immunohistochemical comparison of p16 expression in actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin. Mod Pathol 15(11):1121–1125

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holterhues C, Vries E, Louwman MW et al (2010) Incidence and trends of cutaneous malignancies in The Netherlands, 1989–2005. J Invest Dermatol 130:1807–1812

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kalderon D (2005) The mechanism of hedgehog signal transduction. Biochem Soc Trans 33(6):1509–1512

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karagas MR, Stannard VA, Mott LA, Slattery MJ, Spencer SK, Weinstock MA (2002) Use of tanning devices and risk of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers. J Natl Cancer Inst 94(3):224–226

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kramkimel N, Dendale R, Bolle S, Zefkili S, Fourquet A, Kirova YM (2014) Management of advanced non-melanoma skin cancers using helical tomotherapy. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 28(5):641–650

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liboutet M, Portela M, Delestaing G, Vilmer C, Dupin N, Gorin I, Saiag P, Lebbé C, Kerob D, Dubertret L, Grandchamp B, Basset-Seguin N, Soufir N (2006) MC1R and PTCH gene polymorphism in French patients with basal cell carcinomas. J Invest Dermatol 126(7):1510–1517

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marks R (1996) Squamous cell carcinoma. Lancet 347(9003):735–738

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez JC, Otley CC (2001) The management of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer: a review for the primary care physician. Mayo Clin Proc 76(12):1253–1265. Elsevier

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McDaniel B, Badri T, Steele RB (2018) Basal cell carcinoma

    Google Scholar 

  • Meeran SM, Punathil T, Katiyar SK (2008) IL-12 deficiency exacerbates inflammatory responses in UV-irradiated skin and skin tumors. J Invest Dermatol 128(11):2716–2727

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Narayanan DL, Saladi RN, Fox JL (2010) Ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer. Int J Dermatol 49(9):978–986

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nikolaou V, Stratigos AJ (2014) Emerging trends in the epidemiology of melanoma. Br J Dermatol 170(1):11–19

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nori S, Rius-Díaz F, Cuevas J, Goldgeier M, Jaen P, Torres A, González S (2004) Sensitivity and specificity of reflectance-mode confocal microscopy for in vivo diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma: a multicenter study. J Am Acad Dermatol 51(6):923–930

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nys K, Agostinis P (2012) Bcl-2 family members: essential players in skin cancer. Cancer Lett 320(1):1–13

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olbryt M (2013) Role of tumor microenvironment in the formation and progression of skin melanoma. Postepy Hig Med Dosw 67:413–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olsen CM, Carroll HJ, Whiteman DC (2010) Estimating the attributable fraction for melanoma: a meta-analysis of pigmentary characteristics and freckling. Int J Cancer 127(10):2430–2445

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ott PA (2019) Intralesional cancer immunotherapies. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 33(2):249–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hoc.2018.12.009. Epub 2019 Jan 28

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Panda S (2010) Nonmelanoma skin cancer in India: current scenario. Indian J Dermatol 55(4):373–378

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pierce MC, Strasswimmer J, Park BH, Cense B, De Boer JF (2004) Advances in optical coherence tomography imaging for dermatology. J Investig Dermatol 123(3):458–463

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ratushny V, Gober MD, Hick R, Ridky TW, Seykora JT (2012) From keratinocyte to cancer: the pathogenesis and modeling of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. J Clin Invest 122(2):464–472

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rippey JJ (1998) Why classify basal cell carcinomas? Histopathology 32(5):393–398

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ruocco E, Argenziano G, Pellacani G, Seidenari S (2004) Noninvasive imaging of skin tumors. Dermatol Surg 30:301–310

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scherer D, Nagore E, Bermejo JL, Figl A, Botella-Estrada R, Thirumaran RK, Angelini S, Hemminki K, Schadendorf D, Kumar R (2009) Melanocortin receptor 1 variants and melanoma risk: a study of 2 European populations. Int J Cancer 125(8):1868–1875

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shishak S, Mittal A, Aswar H, Pandey R, Kalra K, Gupta A, Barwad A, Dhamija E, Shamim SA, Aggarwal A, Kaliyath SB (2021) Clinical profile and outcomes of malignant melanoma in patients from an Indian institute: A retrospective analysis. Cancer Res Stat Treat 4(4):621–627

    Google Scholar 

  • SokoÅ‚owska-WojdyÅ‚o M, Olek-Hrab K, Ruckemann-DziurdziÅ„ska K (2015) Primary cutaneous lymphomas: diagnosis and treatment. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 32(5):368–383

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Spencer JM, Kahn SM, Jiang W, DeLeo VA, Weinstein IB (1995) Activated ras genes occur in human actinic keratoses, premalignant precursors to squamous cell carcinomas. Arch Dermatol 131(7):796–800

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, Bray F (2021) Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin 71(3):209–249

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Telfer NR, Colver GB, Morton CA (2008) Guidelines for the management of basal cell carcinoma. Br J Dermatol 159(1):35–48

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas DM, Zalcberg JR (1998) 5-fluorouracil: a pharmacological paradigm in the use of cytotoxics. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 25(11):887–895

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ting W, Schultz K, Cac NN, Peterson M, Walling HW (2007) Tanning bed exposure increases the risk of malignant melanoma. Int J Dermatol 46(12):1253–1257

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trakatelli M, Ulrich C, Del Marmol V, Euvrard S, Stockfleth E, Abeni D (2007) Epidemiology of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in Europe: accurate and comparable data are needed for effective public health monitoring and interventions. Br J Dermatol 156:1–7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tyring SK, Rosen T (2009) Beyond a decade of 5% imiquimod topical therapy. J Drugs Dermatol 8(5):467–474

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Veierød MB, Adami HO, Lund E, Armstrong BK, Weiderpass E (2010) Sun and solarium exposure and melanoma risk: effects of age, pigmentary characteristics, and nevi. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev 19(1):111–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wali UK, Al-Mujaini A (2010) Sebaceous gland carcinoma of the eyelid. Oman J Ophthalmol 3(3):117–121

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Walshe J, Serewko-Auret MM, Teakle N, Cameron S, Minto K, Smith L, Burcham PC, Russell T, Strutton G, Griffin A, Chu FF, Esworthy S, Reeve V, Saunders NA (2007) Inactivation of glutathione peroxidase activity contributes to UV-induced squamous cell carcinoma formation. Cancer Res 67(10):4751–4758

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wäster P, Rosdahl I, Gilmore BF, Seifert O (2011) Ultraviolet exposure of melanoma cells induces fibroblast activation protein-α in fibroblasts: implications for melanoma invasion. Int J Oncol 39(1):193–202

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wehner MR, Chren MM, Nameth D, Choudhry A, Gaskins M, Nead KT et al (2014) International prevalence of indoor tanning: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol 150(4):390–400

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Whiteman DC, Green AC, Olsen CM (2016) The growing burden of invasive melanoma: projections of incidence rates and numbers of new cases in six susceptible populations through 2031. J Investig Dermatol 136(6):1161–1171

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zebracka A, Matysiak M, Dudra-Jastrzebska M, Kapka-Skrzypczak L (2015) Molecular and environmental aspects of skin cancers. J Pre-Clin Clin Res 9(2):158–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

    Harjot Kaur, Alka Bhardwaj & Ravinder Kumar

  2. Department of Zoology, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India

    Amit Sehgal

  3. Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India

    Gursimran Kaur Mohi

Authors
  1. Harjot Kaur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alka Bhardwaj
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amit Sehgal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gursimran Kaur Mohi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ravinder Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ravinder Kumar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India

    R. C. Sobti

  2. NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Translational Health Sci & Tech Inst, Faridabad, Haryana, India

    Nirmal K. Ganguly

  3. Cancer Research Institute, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

    Rakesh Kumar

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

    Ranbir Chander Sobti

  2. Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, Kerala, India

    Rakesh Kumar

  3. NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India

    Nirmal K. Ganguly

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Kaur, H., Bhardwaj, A., Sehgal, A., Mohi, G.K., Kumar, R. (2024). Skin Cancer: An Overview. In: Sobti, R.C., Ganguly, N.K., Kumar, R. (eds) Handbook of Oncobiology: From Basic to Clinical Sciences. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-6263-1_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation