ABSTRACT
Tumors affecting the skin include the following categories: keratinocytic tumors, melanocytic tumors, appendageal tumors, hematolymphoid tumors, soft tissue tumors, neural tumors, and inherited tumor syndromes. Within the keratinocytic tumor category, six types of neoplasms or lesions are recognized. They are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), Bowen disease, actinic keratosis, verrucas, and acanthomas. Together with a number of less common skin cancers of nonmelanocyte origin, BCC and SCC are collectively referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Differential diagnoses for BCC include actinic keratosis, Bowen disease, fibrous papule of the face, juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, malignant melanoma, melanocytic nevi, molluscum contagiosum, psoriasis, sebaceous hyperplasia, SCC, and trichoepithelioma. The treatment for BCC and SCC usually involves surgical removal of the lesion. For SCC, surgical excision with adequate margins, curettage, electrodessication, cryotherapy, radiotherapy (external beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy), and chemotherapy may be used. BCC generally has an excellent prognosis.
