It's seen primarily in the head and neck region, although it can occur anywhere on the body. Squamous cell carcinoma is more serious than basal cell carcinoma, says Dr. Bolognia, because it is more likely to spread, particularly to regional lymph nodes. These tumors can look like warts or a single area of eczema that just doesn't go away. They're found on sun-exposed areas such as the back of your hand or forearm or in the head and neck region. This stuff is so prevalent that nobody counts it.
Doctors just cut it off and throw it out.
Melanoma, however, is a different story. It can develop within a mole or in normal skin. This type of melanoma is referred to as nodular. The most common locations for melanoma in women, she says, are the calf and shin, followed by the upper back. Detecting It Early Fortunately, all forms of skin cancer are easily treated on an outpatient basis if they're caught early, says Nancy R. Matus, M.D., head of dermatology at Easton Hospital in Pennsylvania and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Hahnemann University in Philadelphia.