How do carcinoma and melanoma differ?

Many people think that skin cancer and melanoma are the same thing, but actually, melanoma is one type of skin cancer. Other forms of the disease are less aggressive and more common. read more

Skin cancer treatment for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is straightforward. Usually, surgical removal of the lesion is adequate. Malignant melanoma, however, may require several treatment methods -- depending on the size of the tumor -- including surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. read more

Skin consists of multiple layers of cells. The bottom most layer is the actively dividing basal cell layer. This layer is the most susceptible to malignant changes. Basal cell cancers are the commonest type of skin cancer. However, they are less invasive than malignant melanoma. read more

Carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that does not usually spread to other areas of the body, while melanoma is a more destructive form of cancer that is likely to spread, according to WebMD. Carcinoma occurs more frequently in older patients, while melanoma more often develops in younger patients. read more