Nonmelanoma skin cancer is a cancer that starts in skin cells. Unlike melanoma, which starts in skin cells that make pigment (melanin), nonmelanoma skin cancers start in other kinds of skin cells, such as basal cells. Basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer are the most common types of nonmelanoma skin cancer.
This kind of cancer usually appears as a change in the skin, such as a growth, an irritation or sore that doesn't heal, or a change in a mole or a skin growth. Most cases are caused by too much exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.
When it's found and treated early, nonmelanoma skin cancer is almost always cured. It is usually treated with surgery to remove the cancer. Other treatments include radiation therapy, medicines that are put on the skin (topical therapy), and photodynamic therapy.