Healthy skin cells normally divide in an
orderly way to replace dead cells and grow
new skin. Skin cancer is a disease in
which skin cells lose the ability to
divide and grow normally. Such
abnormal cells can grow out of control and
form a mass or 'tumor'. When abnormal
cells originate in the skin,the mass is
called a skin tumor.
Most skin growths, however, are
non-malignant, benign (not harmful)
tumors.
Some forms of skin cancer also
metastasize. That is, they spread to
other parts of the body and start new
tumors.
Skin cancer that spreads to vital organs
like the brain or liver can be life
threatening.
