Nonmelanoma skin cancer

 cancer,Nonmelanoma skin cancer, cancer

Skin cancer is divided into:

• Malignant melanoma - originating from melanocytes in the epidermis
• Nonmelanoma skin cancer:
• Basal cell carcinomas – originating from the basal cell layer in the epidermis
• Squamous cell carcinoma – originating from the basal cell layer in the epidermis
• Kaposi sarcoma – originates from connective tissue in the dermis
• Merkel cell carcinoma – originates from neuroendocrine cells in the dermis
• Skin adnex tumors – originates from hair follicle cells, sweat glands, or sebum cells in the dermis
• Intraepithelial tumors – Bowen's disease which originates from glandular cells in the skin
• Keratocanthomas – originate in the epidermis

The skin is the body's largest organ and weighs about 2 kg in a 70 kg person. For an adult, the surface is between 1.5 and 2.2 m². The skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer, all of which can develop cancer. The histological subtype depends on which of the different cell layers are malignant.

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Skin types:

The separation of skin types is based on sensitivity to sun rays, especially UV rays. In Norway, the most common skin types are 1–4.

• Skin type 1 – Burns easily and rarely becomes tanned. Fair hair, sensitive skin, and freckles. Often light blond or red hair.
• Skin type  2 – Almost always burns and sometimes becomes tanned. Fair hair which is often blond, but also dark blond and black hair.
• Skin type  3 – Sometimes red but always tans after a while.
• Skin type  4 – Never burns. This skin type is common in Mediterranean countries.
• Skin type 5 and 6 – Naturally black/brown skin and often dark brown eyes and black/brown hair.

 cancer,Nonmelanoma skin cancer, cancer