Skin Cancer Atlas
Most skin cancers are highly curable when caught early. Knowing what each one looks like — and what makes it dangerous — is the first line of defence.
Arises from melanocytes. Can metastasize early. Breslow depth (mm) is the single strongest prognostic factor.
Accounts for ~1% of skin cancers but the majority of skin-cancer deaths. Survival drops from 99% (Stage 0) to 32% (Stage IV). Subtypes: superficial spreading, nodular, lentigo maligna, acral lentiginous.
⌕ ABCDE rule
Pearly papules, telangiectasias, slow-growing. Rarely metastasizes but locally destructive if ignored.
The most frequently diagnosed cancer in humans. Strongly UV-driven. Treatment: excision, Mohs surgery, topical imiquimod, photodynamic therapy. Recurrence is common — annual skin checks are advised.
⌕ Pearly + bleeds
Scaly, crusted, sometimes painful. Risk rises with UV exposure, immunosuppression and HPV.
Second most common skin cancer. Metastatic risk ~2–5%, higher on lips, ears and in immunosuppressed patients. Often preceded by actinic keratoses.
⌕ Rough + tender
Fast-growing red-violaceous nodule. AEIOU criteria. Linked to Merkel cell polyomavirus.
AEIOU = Asymptomatic, Expanding rapidly, Immunosuppressed, Older than 50, UV-exposed site. 5-year survival ranges from 75% (local) to 14% (distant).
⌕ AEIOU
Rough sandpaper patches on sun-damaged skin. ~10% progress to SCC if untreated.
Often easier to feel than to see. Treated with cryotherapy, topical 5-FU, imiquimod or field PDT. Considered a marker of cumulative UV damage.
⌕ Feel before see
Mycosis fungoides mimics eczema or psoriasis for years before diagnosis.
Patch → plaque → tumor progression over years. Early stages have near-normal life expectancy with phototherapy or topical chemotherapy.
⌕ Persistent patches
Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70.
of non-melanoma skin cancers are linked to UV exposure.
5-year survival if melanoma is caught at Stage 0 — vs. 32% at Stage IV.
