Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. The cancer forms in the basal layer of the skin due to overexposure to sunlight or from genetics. Although rarely life threatening, basal cell carcinoma can cause damage to the face and surrounding lymph nodes if left untreated.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. Like all other skin cancers, it can occur due to genetics or from overexposure to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of the body including the lungs and esophagus which makes it potentially life threatening.
Malignant melanoma is the rarest type of skin cancer, but it accounts for 75% of deaths from skin cancer. Malignant melanoma forms when pigment cells in the skin uncontrollably expand and multiply due to genetics or overexposure to the sun. Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer because it can quickly spread to other parts of the body, in particular, the lymphatic system.