Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, accounting for more than 50% of all cancers and 10,000 deaths annually: skin cancer is more common than all other cancers combined. It also has the fastest growing incidence of all cancers, increasing by 6-7% per annum.

Skin cancer is divided into non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), and melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma is a relatively rare and very aggressive cancer, although accounting for only 4% of all skin cancers, melanoma causes more than 80% of skin cancer related deaths.

NMSCs, chiefly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are the most common form of skin cancer accounting for 95% of all skin cancers. They are called non-melanoma because they develop from skin cells other than melanocytes and are named after the skin layer in which they originate. NMSC occurs most often after years of UV exposure and is more prevalent in older Caucasions, farmers, sailors, sportspeople and others who spend much of their time outdoors. NMSC is not very aggressive and the choice of therapy can depend upon the type and size of the lesion, its location, the general condition of the patient and cosmetic considerations. Surgical excision is the standard therapy.

BCC begins in the lowest layer of the epidermis called the basal cell layer. It is the most common skin cancer and about 80% of all skin cancers are BCCs. BCCs usually develop on sun-exposed areas, especially the head, neck and hands.

BCC is the most common form of skin cancer. In the US each year more than one million cases of BCCs are diagnosed. Annual cost of the US healthcare system for the treatment and management of NMSC is US$1.4 billion.

SCCs are malignant tumours which arise from the prickle layer of a number of tissue types including higher levels of the epidermis. They account for about 16% of all skin cancers and commonly appear on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, ear, neck and back of the hands. SCCs are less common but more dangerous than BCCs since they have a greater tendency to metastasise.

The major shortcomings of surgical excision is the pain and discomfort and then potential for long term scarring, morbidity and recurrence of the skin cancer.