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Common Cutaneous Malignancies

»	How are skin cancers classified?
»	What are the most common nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs)?
»	What is the most important cause of NMSC?
»	Are there any other causes of NMSC?
»	What special populations are at increased risk of NMSC?
»	How are NMSCs diagnosed?
»	How frequently do NMSCs occur?
»	How can NMSCs be prevented?
»	What factors should you consider in treating NMSC?
»	What are basal cell carcinomas?
»	What is the molecular basis for the development of sporadic basal cell carcinoma?
»	Describe the clinical and histologic appearance of basal cell carcinomas.
»	What is nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome?
»	What do typical squamous cell carcinomas look like clinically?
»	What is the biologic behavior of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma?
»	What are keratoacanthomas?
»	How do keratoacanthomas present clinically?
»	What is Bowen’s disease?
»	What is an actinic keratosis?
»	What do actinic keratoses look like?
»	How should premalignant lesions, such as actinic keratoses and actinic cheilitis, be treated?

What are the most common nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs)?

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. In the United States, over 1 million cases of NMSCs occur yearly, which makes these the most prevalent of all malignancies. Common nonmelanoma skin premalignancies include actinic keratosis, actinic cheilitis, and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen’s disease).

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

Nguyen TH, Ho DQ: Nonmelanoma skin cancer, Curr Treat Options Oncol 3:193–203, 2002.