Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer: management tactics

Basal cell skin cancer (BCC) and squamous cell skin cancer (SCC) are among the most common malignancies and account for the majority of non-melanoma skin tumors (NMSTs). Despite the shared role of ultraviolet radiation in carcinogenesis, these diseases differ significantly in terms of biology, clinical course, and treatment approaches. Basal cell skin cancer is more often characterized by a locally destructive growth pattern and is associated with activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, while squamous cell cancer is prone to invasive growth, regional and distant metastasis, and is formed due to impaired differentiation, genomic instability, and tumor cell escape from immune control. This determines the differences in treatment tactics: in localized forms, local methods (surgical removal, radiation therapy, and topical medications) remain the main approach, while in advanced variants of BCC, Hedgehog pathway inhibitors are used, while in PCC, immune checkpoint inhibitors are the standard treatment. The practical value of the topic is determined by the high incidence of these types of tumors, the need for early recognition of risk factors, and the transition to biomarker-based treatment. The most promising areas remain personalized therapy, 
overcoming resistance, and expanding the role of combined systemic approaches.