1. Skin Cancer Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Skin Cancer Quiz
3. Sun-Damaged Skin Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Michael S Lehrer, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

A basal cell carcinoma (BCC) usually looks like a raised, smooth, pearly bump on the sun-exposed skin of the head, neck, or shoulders.

• Small blood vessels may be visible within the tumor.
  
  
• A central depression with crusting and bleeding (ulceration) frequently develops.
  
  
• A BCC is often mistaken for a sore that does not heal.

A squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is commonly a well-defined, red, scaling, thickened patch on sun-exposed skin.

• Like BCCs, SCCs may ulcerate and bleed.
  
  
• Left untreated, SCC may develop into a large mass.

The majority of malignant melanomas are brown to black pigmented lesions.

• Warning signs include change in size, shape, color, or elevation of a mole.
  
  
• The appearance of a new mole during adulthood, or new pain, itching, ulceration, or bleeding of an existing mole should all be checked by a health-care provider.

The following easy-to-remember guideline, "ABCD," is useful for identifying malignant melanoma:

• Asymmetry-One side of the lesion does not look like the other.
  
  
• Border irregularity-Margins may be notched or irregular.
  
  
• Color-Melanomas are often a mixture of black, tan, brown, blue, red, or white.
  
  
• Diameter-Cancerous lesions are usually larger than 6 mm across (about the size of a pencil eraser), but any change in size may be significant.

Must Read Articles Related to Skin Cancer

Common Health Tests Common health tests may be performed in your doctor's office or even in the pharmacy. Regular health checks and screening for certain diseases and conditions ha...learn more >>

Mole Removal Moles may be removed using excision and stitches or excision and cauterization. Risks of mole removal include infection, nerve damage, and anesthetic allergy. L...learn more >>

Skin Biopsy Your doctor may want to obtain a sample of skin in order to diagnose diseases of the skin, such as those caused by bacteria, fungi, or other chronic skin condit...learn more >>

See the Entire Skin Cancer Topic Guide »