Skin and Sarcoma Cancer

There are three main categories of skin cancer:

• Basal cell cancer (BCC)
• Squamous cell cancer (SCC)
• Malignant melanoma

Basal cell cancer is the most common type of skin cancer. It is slow growing and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. It is sometimes referred to as a “rodent ulcer”.

Squamous cell cancer is also generally slower growing but if it isn’t caught in the early stages, it does have the potential to spread to other parts of the body. Occasionally and SCC can behave aggressively and spread quickly, but this is unusual.

Melanoma is less common than BCC and SCC but it is a more unpredictable cancer. If caught early there is a very good chance of cure but some melanomas behave aggressively and spread to the rest of the body.

Sarcoma is a cancer that arises from the bone or connective tissue. Sarcoma is managed at specialist centres and the most local specialist centre for Berkshire sarcoma patients is the Nuffield orthopaedic centre which is part of the Oxford University Hospitals (OUH). Patients in the Berkshire area who are diagnosed with sarcoma will have their case discussed at the Oxford sarcoma specialist Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and will most likely be treated and managed by the OUH team.

The skin cancer nursing service also offers support to patients who are undergoing tests for suspected sarcoma. If a known sarcoma patient is admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital while undergoing treatment the acute oncology service provides support. We act as a service to facilitate communication between the sarcoma patient and their specialist centre and also to offer support to patients and their families.