What is it?

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world. It occurs when abnormal skin cells grow uncontrollably, often due to DNA damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the body but is most often found on sun-exposed areas.

Types of Skin Cancer:

Skin cancer is broadly classified into three main types:

  1. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): The most common and least aggressive type. It usually appears as a pearly or waxy bump.
  2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): More likely to grow deeper than BCC and may appear as a red, scaly patch or sore that doesn’t heal.
  3. Melanoma: The most dangerous form. It develops in pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) and can spread rapidly. Melanoma often appears as a new mole or a change in an existing mole.

Less common types include Merkel cell carcinoma and various skin adnexal tumors.

Main symptoms:

Common signs include:

  • A new growth or sore that doesn’t heal.
  • Changes in existing moles (asymmetry, irregular borders, color changes).
  • Bleeding, itching, or crusting lesions.

Standard treatment:

Treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer. Common options include:

  • Surgical removal: Often curative for BCC and SCC.
  • Topical medications or cryotherapy: For early-stage cancers.
  • Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells; used for advanced or non-surgical cases.
  • Chemotherapy used for advanced or non-surgical cases.
  • Immunotherapy helps the immune system fight the cancer. Used especially for melanoma
  • Targeted drugs uses special drugs that attack specific parts of cancer cells, responsible for the cancer growth or survival; sparing most healthy cells. Used especially for melanoma

Radiotheranostics

Radiotheranostics is a new type of treatment that combines therapy and diagnostics.

For the treatment of some non-melanoma skin cancers it is possible to use Rhenium-188 (¹⁸⁸Re) . This non-invasive therapy is especially effective for basal and squamous cell carcinomas, offering a painless, scar-free alternative to surgery with minimal side effects.

Many clinical trials for melanoma underway to develop new radiotheranostics.

Your doctor can help you understand which treatment is right for you.

To know more about: 

National Cancer Institute (NCI/USA)

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Patient associations

Europe: Association pour la Lutte contre le Mélanome Malin (BEL), Melanoma Patient Network Europe (EU), Vaincre le Mélanome (FRA), Melanoma UK

Worldwide: AIM at Melanoma, Melanoma International Foundation (MIF), Skin Cancer Foundation

North America: Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) (CAN), Skin Cancer Foundation (USA), Cancer Support Community (USA)