Non-melanotic skin tumors of the upper extremity

Most non-melanotic skin cancers involving the upper extremities are squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas. Ultraviolet sun light, fair complexion, and advancing age are important risk factors. Because of their high prevalence, the hand surgeon must be familiar with the diagnosis and clinical management of non-melanotic skin tumors. Early detection ultimately decreases the morbidity associated with the locally destructive nature of these tumors. Following diagnosis, the appropriate steps for management include wide surgical excision with pathologic conformation of normal margins and lymph node dissection for clinically positive nodes