Basal cell carcinoma and melanoma are two distinct types of skin cancer. While they share many risk factors, treatment options and the outlook for people with either condition may differ.
Skin cancer is extremely common and often very treatable, but the outlook for people with skin cancer usually depends on the type of skin cancer and how likely it is to spread (metastasize).
For example, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a highly common, slow-growing form of cancer that’s unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. With treatment, the outlook for people with BCC is excellent.
Melanoma is rarer than BCC but more aggressive. Depending on the stage, melanoma may require a variety of treatments.
This article compares these two types of skin cancer, including their symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.
How do basal cell carcinoma and melanoma differ in appearance?
BCC and melanoma both cause visible growths on the surface of the skin. The following chart provides an overview of their characteristics.
| Characteristics | BCC | Melanoma |
|---|
| Appearance | can look like a:
• sore
• red or dark patch
• scar
• pigmented growth
• other appearance | may look like an abnormal mole or beauty mark |
|---|
| Color | can be:
• skin-colored
• pink
• pigmented | can be a variety of colors; often unevenly colored, with areas of:
• black
• brown
• beige |
|---|
| Common locations | • face
• neck
• ears
• upper trunk | varies depending on age, gender, and race, but most frequently on:
• trunk
• lower legs
• head
• neck |
|---|
| Height | can be raised bump or flat | often flat at first but may become thickened and raised as it progresses |
|---|
| Shape | can be round or asymmetrical | most often asymmetrical |
|---|
| Size | early stage growths are often smaller than a pea | may be larger than a pea and grow quickly |
|---|
View pictures of the different types of melanoma .
How do doctors treat basal cell carcinoma vs. melanoma?
BCC doesn’t usually spread beyond the original growth. As a result, treatment involves removing the tumor. Some common procedures to remove BCC tumors include:
Early stage melanoma treatment also involves a surgical procedure, most often an excision, to remove the original growth.
With metastatic melanoma , you’ll usually need additional treatments. Stage 3 and stage 4 melanoma treatments target cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body and may include :
What is the outlook for people with basal cell carcinoma vs. melanoma?
The outlook for people with BCC is typically very good. BCC is unlikely to be fatal. With treatment, the 5-year cure rate for localized BCC is generally more than 95% .
The outlook for people with melanoma varies depending on the stage. When caught early, melanoma is highly treatable. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the average 5-year survival rate for all melanomas of the skin was around 94% in 2016.
Late stage melanoma is much harder to treat. The NCI data indicates that the average 5-year survival rate for metastatic melanoma was only 34% in 2016.
What causes basal cell carcinoma and melanoma?
Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a common cause of all types of skin cancer. Some common sources of UV rays include the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps .
UV radiation damages the DNA in your skin cells. Over time, this damage may lead to skin cancer , which occurs when cells replicate and grow too quickly.
The different types of skin cancer each originate in a different type of skin cell. BCC affects basal cells, which are located in the bottom layer of the epidermis (the outer layer of skin that you can see).
Melanoma affects melanocytes, which are also found in the lower part of the epidermis. Their role is to produce skin pigment or melanin .
Who’s at risk for basal cell carcinoma and melanoma?
BCC and melanoma have similar risk factors . In both cases, exposure to UV light, whether from the sun or tanning beds, is a major risk factor.
You may also be at risk of developing either type of skin cancer if you:
- have light skin, hair, or eyes
- have a history of sunburns
- have a family history of skin cancer
- are an older adult
Moles are another important risk factor for melanoma, but they’re not related to BCC. People with many moles or atypical moles are at an increased risk of developing melanoma during their lifetime.
Melanoma vs. carcinoma vs. sarcoma
Scientists often classify cancer based on the type of cells that they affect. The following are three common types of cancer:
- Carcinoma: This kind of cancer affects epithelial tissues throughout the body, including the skin and the inner lining of organs such as the bowels, lungs, and kidneys.
- Melanoma: Melanoma starts in melanocytes, the cells that make skin pigment.
- Sarcoma: This cancer develops in the body’s bones and soft (connective) tissues , including muscles, fat, and blood vessels.
Frequently asked questions
Can basal cell carcinoma turn into melanoma?
BCC can’t become melanoma. While both cancers have similar causes and risk factors, they affect different types of cells.
Which is more serious, basal cell carcinoma or melanoma?
Melanoma is more serious than BCC because it’s more likely to spread to other parts of the body. That said, early stage melanoma is highly treatable.
What’s the difference between melanoma and carcinoma?
Melanomas and carcinomas affect different cell types. Melanomas affect melanocytes, while carcinomas, like basal or squamous cell carcinoma , affect epithelial cells.
Takeaway
BCC is extremely common, affecting as many as 20% of people in the United States. Although melanoma isn’t quite as common, it still affects around 100,000 people in the United States each year.
BCC often causes a pearly bump with a rolled-looking border, but appearance can vary. Melanoma, on the other hand, usually resembles an asymmetrical mole, but appearance can also vary.
If you’re concerned about skin growth, you may want to consult with a healthcare professional right away.
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