Objectives: To describe the clinical and histologic subtypes, pathophysiology, recognition, and treatment options for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, and the molecular biology of sunlight-induced carcinogenesis.
Data sources: Journal and review articles, research studies, textbooks, and clinical practice.
Conclusions: Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma will occur in more than one million cases annually in the United States, and are highly curable when detected and treated early. During the last decade, significant progress has been made in elucidating the molecular basis of skin carcinogenesis and in identifying newer approaches for the management and treatment of these keratinocyte cancers.
Implications for nursing practice: Nurses can play crucial roles in decreasing the morbidity and mortality from the skin cancer epidemic by identifying and referring patients with lesions suspicious for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.