4 Conditions Related to Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is very common. There are many types of skin cancer and conditions that can develop into cancer. Keeping a close eye on any skin changes can help you stay ahead of bigger problems before they start.

Some skin conditions look serious but are actually harmless. Others are early forms of cancer that should be removed or monitored. Learning about some of the most common types of nonmelanoma skin cancer can help you stay informed and in control.

Here are some skin conditions that should be on your radar, even though they aren’t melanoma.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is one of the most common precancerous skin conditions. It’s also called solar keratosis because it’s often related to ultraviolet (UV) light or sun exposure.

Who’s at Risk?

The risk is higher in people who spend a lot of time outdoors without sun protection or in people who use tanning beds. You’re also more likely to develop AK if you have naturally light eyes, hair, and skin. Because UV damage builds over time, people over 50 also have a higher risk than younger people.

What Does It Look Like?

If you develop a new age spot, pimple, or rough patch of skin, there’s a chance it could be actinic keratosis. Bumps and hornlike growths can also be AK.

AK is usually found on areas that get a lot of sun, such as the face, ears, lips, hands, and arms. If actinic keratosis affects the lips, it may seem like a badly chapped lip that doesn’t go away.

Is It Dangerous?

The reason this condition is important to recognize is that it can turn into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) over time. Not every actinic keratosis will become cancer, but some do. It’s hard to predict which ones will change, so doctors often treat them early.

How’s It Treated?

There are several treatment options for actinic keratosis. Most can be completed in one or two dermatology visits. Others may be done at home under the direction of your dermatologist.

Treatment may include:

• Cryotherapy (freezing off the spot with liquid nitrogen)
• A medical-grade chemical peel
• Curettage (scraping off the damaged skin)
• Laser treatments
• Photodynamic therapy (specialized light therapy procedures)
• Prescription creams you apply at home

Your dermatologist can review different treatment options with you. They may want to see you more often for skin checks once you have a history of AK.

Bowen’s disease is an early form of squamous cell carcinoma. The technical term for this condition is “squamous cell carcinoma in situ.” Basically, this term means there are cancer cells in the top layer of the skin that haven’t spread deeper yet.

Who’s at Risk?

You have a higher risk of Bowen’s disease if you have a weakened immune system or fair skin. Other risk factors include long-term exposure to arsenic and UV light.

People with a form of viral infection called human papillomavirus (HPV) are also at risk. Bowen’s disease is most common in people over 60.

What Does It Look Like?

This condition usually appears as a persistent, slowly growing patch of red, pink, or brown skin. For people with darker skin, the patch may appear grayish, dark brown, or slightly lighter than the usual skin tone. It may look scaly or crusted and can resemble eczema or psoriasis.

Areas exposed to the sun, especially the head and neck, are affected more often. But it can also develop on the genitals or other parts of the body.

Is It Dangerous?

Bowen’s disease grows slowly and has a low chance of coming back once it’s treated. As long as it stays on the outer layer of the skin, there’s minimal risk of it spreading to organs in the body.

The chance of Bowen’s disease transforming into cancer is around 3 percent to 10 percent. If it develops into cancer, there’s a 33 percent chance the cancer will spread (metastasize).

How’s It Treated?

Even though it is an early stage, Bowen’s disease still needs treatment. If left untreated, it can develop into invasive squamous cell carcinoma.

Treatments may include topical medications, light therapy, surgery, laser, or radiotherapy.

Gorlin syndrome is a rare genetic disease. It’s also known as basal cell nevus syndrome.

A key feature of this syndrome is multiple basal cell carcinomas that can start showing up in childhood. Gorlin syndrome also causes issues with the bones, eyes, and nervous system.

Who’s at Risk?

Gorlin syndrome runs in families. Overall, it affects 1 in every 40,000 to 60,000 people.

Although people are born with Gorlin syndrome, basal cell carcinomas don’t usually develop until age 20.

People of any gender have an equal chance of having Gorlin syndrome. African Americans and Asians are the least likely groups to be diagnosed with it.

What Does It Look Like?

Basal cell carcinomas can be small, clear, shiny bumps. Other times, they look like skin tags (small, soft bumps or flaps of skin).

Many people with Gorlin syndrome also have small, shallow pits on the palms of their hands and the soles of their feet. This happens in about 75 percent to 90 percent of cases.

About half of the people with this condition develop small, harmless skin growths. These may include epidermal cysts (lumps beneath the skin) and tiny white bumps called milia.

Is It Dangerous?

Adults with Gorlin syndrome should have skin checks by a dermatologist every four months. Although unlikely, it’s possible for the basal cell carcinomas to metastasize.

How’s It Treated?

It’s challenging to treat skin cancer in people with Gorlin syndrome because there tends to be a lot of lesions. Healthcare providers may use various methods, including Mohs surgery, topical medications, and cryosurgery, to keep the lesions under control.

Xeroderma pigmentosum is another rare genetic condition. It makes the skin extremely sensitive to UV light. This condition increases the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer by 10,000 times.

Who’s at Risk?

In Europe and the U.S., xeroderma pigmentosum affects 1 in every million people. Although still rare, rates are higher in Japan, North Africa, and the Middle East.

What Does It Look Like?

People are born with the genes for xeroderma pigmentosum. By the time they’re toddlers, they may start developing freckles and sunburns with small amounts of sun exposure. Dry skin and changes in skin color are also common features.

Eye sensitivity is another possible symptom. Xeroderma pigmentosum can cause bloodshot, irritated eyes, a cloudy eye surface, and eyelashes that fall out or eyelids that turn inward or outward.

Is It Dangerous?

Skin cancer in people with xeroderma pigmentosum often starts as early as age 10. This condition significantly raises the risk of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Some people with xeroderma pigmentosum also develop neurological problems. These may become severe over time, affecting the ability to walk, eat, think, hear, and talk.

How’s It Treated?

Strict sun protection is essential for people with xeroderma pigmentosum. Skin cancer treatment will depend on the person and the type of skin cancer they develop.

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