What is the most deadly but least common form of skin cancer?

Melanoma is recognized as the most deadly form of skin cancer despite being less common compared to other types like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This aggressiveness is primarily due to its ability to metastasize, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body quite rapidly if not diagnosed early. Although melanoma represents a small percentage of skin cancer cases overall, its potential to cause significant harm makes it a critical condition to monitor and treat.

In contrast, while basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are more prevalent, they tend to grow more slowly and are often less likely to spread beyond the original site. Carcinoma in situ refers to abnormal cells that remain in the primary tissue and have not invaded deeper layers, thus posing a significantly lower risk than invasive melanomas. The combination of rarity and high lethality is what solidifies melanoma's classification as the most dangerous form of skin cancer.