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.

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