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Basal > Squamous > Melanoma?
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Basal > Squamous > Melanoma?

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Basal > Squamous > Melanoma?

  • Post
    • August 30, 2012 at 1:49 am
    chalknpens
    Participant

      I've read quite a few posts here, but haven't seen one that asks this question: are the three major types of skin cancer all unique and unrelated, or is their a hierarchy, where basal call cancer is the least invasive but can become squamous cell cancer, can basal or squamous then become malignant melanoma?

      I've read quite a few posts here, but haven't seen one that asks this question: are the three major types of skin cancer all unique and unrelated, or is their a hierarchy, where basal call cancer is the least invasive but can become squamous cell cancer, can basal or squamous then become malignant melanoma?

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    • Replies
        • August 30, 2012 at 3:21 am
        Janner
        Participant

          They are totally unrelated and do not "morph" into one another.  Each cancer is a cancer of a certain cell type:  basal cells, squamous cells, and melanocytes.  All cell types are different and have different characteristics.  Think of it like "salt", "pepper" and "cinnamon" (unrelated spices) — not ice, water and steam (different forms of h2O).

            • August 31, 2012 at 10:59 am
            chalknpens
            Participant

              Thank you, Janner –  what an excellent analogy!

              • August 31, 2012 at 10:59 am
              chalknpens
              Participant

                Thank you, Janner –  what an excellent analogy!

                • August 31, 2012 at 10:59 am
                chalknpens
                Participant

                  Thank you, Janner –  what an excellent analogy!

                • August 30, 2012 at 3:21 am
                Janner
                Participant

                  They are totally unrelated and do not "morph" into one another.  Each cancer is a cancer of a certain cell type:  basal cells, squamous cells, and melanocytes.  All cell types are different and have different characteristics.  Think of it like "salt", "pepper" and "cinnamon" (unrelated spices) — not ice, water and steam (different forms of h2O).

                  • August 30, 2012 at 3:21 am
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    They are totally unrelated and do not "morph" into one another.  Each cancer is a cancer of a certain cell type:  basal cells, squamous cells, and melanocytes.  All cell types are different and have different characteristics.  Think of it like "salt", "pepper" and "cinnamon" (unrelated spices) — not ice, water and steam (different forms of h2O).

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