skip to Main Content
Woman with potential melanoma skin cancer on her chest. | Which Type of Skin Cancer is the Most Dangerous?

Which Type of Skin Cancer is the Most Dangerous?

With skin cancer cases rising year after year, it’s no surprise that people are itching to learn more about this life-threatening skin disease. At Cumberland Skin, one question we get quite often is which type of skin cancer is the most dangerous? 

In this blog, we’re here to help you better understand the answer and how to reduce your chances of developing the specific type of skin cancer that is most likely to put your health at risk. 

 

Which Skin Cancer Type is the Most Dangerous? 

In a nutshell, the answer to this question is melanoma skin cancer. Though melanoma is low on the list of common skin cancers, it is highly invasive when left untreated and has the highest mortality rate out of all the other skin cancer types. 

 

What is Melanoma Skin Cancer? 

Melanoma is a type of cancer originating in the epidermis, otherwise known as the uppermost layer of skin. It develops in the melanocyte cells, which produce melanin to create the brown pigmentation in skin. 

When melanocyte cells suffer from unrepaired DNA damage, often due to excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, they become mutated and begin to reproduce out of control. This process of rapid cell reproduction is what we call cancer. 

 

Understanding the Dangers of Melanoma

Melanoma in its localized form, meaning it has not spread from its original location, has a very high five-year survival: about 99 percent in the U.S. 

The dangers of this skin cancer significantly increase when it penetrates into the deeper layers of skin and spreads to other areas of the body. This is because the chances of curing a melanoma substantially drop once it spreads, or metastasizes, beyond the original tumor site. 

In fact, the five-year survival rate for stage III melanoma is 62 percent and the five-year survival rate for stage IV melanoma is only 18 percent. Stage III melanoma is when it spreads to the lymph nodes and stage III melanoma occurs when it spreads to organs. 

 

Top Treatments for Melanoma 

Though melanoma treatments are improving year after year, there is no substitute for early detection. The best way to address melanoma is to stop it in its tracks before it ever has the chance to metastasize. 

This is why board-certified dermatologists recommend patients perform monthly self-exams of their skin and schedule annual skin cancer screenings where a trained professional examines their skin for signs of skin cancer

If skin cancer treatment is necessary, we will often recommend Mohs surgery for melanoma in its early stages. This is a precise technique that allows the surgeon to remove only the cancerous cells, preserving healthy skin. 

When melanoma has spread to the lymphatic system or other organs, more comprehensive treatment is required. This often includes several surgeries, immunotherapy, radiation, and chemotherapy, among other forms of treatment. 

 

Schedule Your Skin Cancer Screening in Central Tennessee 

If you are overdue for your next skin cancer screening or have never had one before with a board-certified dermatologist, it’s time to schedule yours today. 

At Cumberland Skin, we offer comprehensive skin cancer screenings to patients at our state-of-the-art dermatology clinics in Lebanon, Hermitage, Brentwood, Hendersonville, and Cookeville, Tennessee. 

Browse our website or give us a call today at 615-449-5771 to schedule your screening. It’s time to prioritize the health of your skin. 

 

Effective Skin Cancer Treatment at Cumberland Skin

Trust the highly-trained team at Cumberland Skin Surgery and Dermatology for effective skin cancer treatment. We treat many different forms of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and kaposi sarcoma. 

Our board-certified dermatologists provide effective, compassionate general dermatology, skin cancer surgery, and cosmetic dermatology solutions for our patients throughout Southeast Tennessee. 

With offices in Hermitage, Lebanon, Brentwood, and Hendersonville, Tennessee, we’re your destination for professional skincare and dermatology solutions. Visit our website or give us a call today at 615-449-5771.

Back To Top