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There are other less common types of skin cancer. These skin cancers are treated differently to the three types of skin cancer we cover in this section.
Merkel cell carcinoma
This is a rare, neuroendocrine tumour of the skin. It looks like a round lump or swelling, usually on the head or neck, or other sun-exposed sights. It usually affects people over 60, and it is much more common in white people.
The National Cancer Institute of the USA has information about Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Remember that treatment practices abroad, and the commonness of specific cancers in other countries, may differ to the UK.
Kaposi’s sarcoma
Kaposi’s sarcoma is the name for a tumour that usually starts in the dermis layer of the skin, but can also form in the internal organs. Click here to go to our webpage about Kaposi's sarcoma.
T cell lymphoma of the skin
T cell lymphoma of the skin is the most common type of primary cutaneous lymphoma or skin lymphoma. It is also sometimes called mycosis fungoides. It is a type of cancer that starts mostly or entirely in the skin. It occurs when the white blood cells that protect us from infections (called lymphocytes) start to grow uncontrollably within the skin. In the beginning it often looks similar to psoriasis or eczema, and then it gradually becomes thicker. The cause is not known. The condition has a variety of treatments, and can usually be controlled.
CancerBackup has information about it under the name Cutaneous T cell lymphoma in its section on Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Or CancerHelp has information about T cell lymphoma of the skin in its section on Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Sarcoma
Sarcomas are a type of cancerous tumour that can develop in various parts of the body. Sarcoma of the skin develops in the deep tissue of the skin. A tumour may grow in the nerves, blood vessels, lymph vessels or connective tissue or, most often, in the fat layer. The general term for this group of cancers is soft tissue sarcoma.
The CancerBackup website has information about soft tissue sarcoma.
Your own doctors, nurses and others in your health care team are the only people who can tell you about your particular cancer and its treatment.
The Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist is your point of contact at Noble's Hospital (Telephone 01624 650162).
You may also like to contact our Macmillan Cancer Information Centre, or click here to visit our useful contacts list for information about organisations, both on and off the Isle of Man.
