Skin cancer

Overview

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that begins in skin cells. Skin cancer typically develops on areas of sun-exposed skin but may also appear on areas of your body that may never see the sun, such as the soles of your feet or your genitals. There are two major types of skin cancer:

• Melanoma
• Nonmelanoma, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and other less common forms

Why choose Mayo Clinic for skin cancer

• Experience and expertise. Mayo Clinic skin specialists (dermatologists) have extensive experience in treating both common and rare types of skin cancer. Mayo surgeons have expertise and specialized training in surgery techniques that remove as much cancer as possible, while reducing the appearance of scarring.
• Newest treatments and research. Mayo Clinic offers the latest treatments for skin cancer as well as clinical trials of experimental treatments. Mayo Clinic's leading edge cancer research gives you access to new potential treatment discoveries.
• Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, recognizing scientific excellence and a multidisciplinary approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked high performing for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic
What Sets Mayo Clinic Apart

Read more about skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, melanoma and eye melanoma.