Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)is the most common form ofskin cancer. If you’re concerned you may have basal cell carcinoma, pictures of different stages or types of lesions can help you compare your skin to examples of BCC, but it’s always best to get a full skin check to be sure.BCC originates in the basal layer of theepidermis(which is the outermost layers). The basal layer of the skin is responsible for producing new skin cells and pushing them to the surface.BCC tends to grow slowly and develops on areas of skin regularly exposed to sunlight and other forms ofultraviolet radiation—the face, ears, neck, scalp, chest, shoulders, and back.The lesions commonly appear as painless, raised nodules, often shiny with tiny blood vessels running through them. However, BCC can vary in size and appearance and may develop on parts of the body that are not sun-exposed.This article provides images and descriptions of the different manifestations of BCC, so you may be able to spot them early and seek immediate treatment.BURGER/PHANIE/Canopy/Getty ImagesThe early diagnosis and treatment of BCC is associated with a disease-free cure rate of between 85 and 95%.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)is the most common form ofskin cancer. If you’re concerned you may have basal cell carcinoma, pictures of different stages or types of lesions can help you compare your skin to examples of BCC, but it’s always best to get a full skin check to be sure.
BCC originates in the basal layer of theepidermis(which is the outermost layers). The basal layer of the skin is responsible for producing new skin cells and pushing them to the surface.
BCC tends to grow slowly and develops on areas of skin regularly exposed to sunlight and other forms ofultraviolet radiation—the face, ears, neck, scalp, chest, shoulders, and back.The lesions commonly appear as painless, raised nodules, often shiny with tiny blood vessels running through them. However, BCC can vary in size and appearance and may develop on parts of the body that are not sun-exposed.
This article provides images and descriptions of the different manifestations of BCC, so you may be able to spot them early and seek immediate treatment.
BURGER/PHANIE/Canopy/Getty Images
The early diagnosis and treatment of BCC is associated with a disease-free cure rate of between 85 and 95%.
Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoSkarmoutsosV / Wikimedia Commons
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
SkarmoutsosV / Wikimedia Commons
Nodular basal cell carcinoma is one of the three main subtypes of BCC. Nodular BCC is the most common BCC subtype, accounting for over 50% of all BCC cases.
You’re most likely to find them on your face, especially the cheeks, forehead, eyelids, andnasolabialfolds (the “smile lines” that run from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth). The lesions often appear skin-colored, pinkish, or pearly white.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer
Non-Ulcerated Nodular BCCThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photojax10289 / Getty ImagesIf you notice a small growth on your skin that changes over time, pay attention. This is a typical characteristic of nodular BCC. It may suddenly enlarge, crust over, or form a central depression. The area may also bleed easily.At this stage, the non-ulcerated lesion may appear similar to conditions such as: theseMolluscum contagiosumSebaceous hyperplasiaAmelanoticmelanomaIntradermalmelanocyticnevus(known as a common mole).Skin Cancer Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Non-Ulcerated Nodular BCC
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photojax10289 / Getty Images
jax10289 / Getty Images
If you notice a small growth on your skin that changes over time, pay attention. This is a typical characteristic of nodular BCC. It may suddenly enlarge, crust over, or form a central depression. The area may also bleed easily.
At this stage, the non-ulcerated lesion may appear similar to conditions such as: these
Skin Cancer Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare appointment to help you ask the right questions.
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Ulcerated Nodular BCC
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoJames Hellman, MD / Wikimedia Commons
James Hellman, MD / Wikimedia Commons
Eventually, the center of the non-ulcerated BCC lesion may suddenly form an open sore, known as an ulcer, with a well-defined rolled border. Nodular lesions that have ulcerated are often referred to as “rodent ulcers” because the edges of the sore often look ragged and gnawed upon.
Ulcerated BCC lesions are often difficult to distinguish from another type of skin cancer, calledsquamous cell carcinoma, which can also ulcerate.
The Facts About Sun Safety and Skin Cancer
Micronodular Basal Cell Carcinoma
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDr. P. Marazzi / Science Photo Library / Getty Images
Dr. P. Marazzi / Science Photo Library / Getty Images
Micronodular BCC lesions vary in shade from skin-colored to slightly greyish and may appear a whitish-yellow when stretched. The lesions occur most commonly around the eyes and are often firm to the touch.
Unlike nodular BCC, micronodular BCC is less likely to form ulcers. Often, lesions are not even noticed. They may be too small to be seen with the naked eye or are flat and seem harmless.Thus, micronodular BCC is more likely to recur because the lesions are not treated.
Superficial Basal Cell CarcinomaThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoNational Cancer InstituteSuperficial basal cell carcinoma is the second most common type of BCC, accounting for around 15% of cases.Superficial BCC characteristics include:A flat, distinct area of discolored skin, referred to as a maculePink-to-red colorPossibly thin rolled border or irregular crusty edges.Well-defined edges and a scaly appearanceAreas of the lesion may also suddenly regress, leaving behind a lightened (hypopigmented) area of thinned skin.Unlike nodular BCC, superficial BCC tends to favor the trunk and extremities but can also occur on the face. It is more frequently seen in fair-skinned adults under 50 but can occur in people as young as 20.The flaky appearance of superficial BCC is easily mistaken for noncancerous conditions likepsoriasisandnummular eczemaas well as precancerous conditions such asactinic keratosis.Actinic Keratosis vs. Basal Cell Carcinoma: Differences and Similarities
Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoNational Cancer Institute
National Cancer Institute
Superficial basal cell carcinoma is the second most common type of BCC, accounting for around 15% of cases.
Superficial BCC characteristics include:
Areas of the lesion may also suddenly regress, leaving behind a lightened (hypopigmented) area of thinned skin.
Unlike nodular BCC, superficial BCC tends to favor the trunk and extremities but can also occur on the face. It is more frequently seen in fair-skinned adults under 50 but can occur in people as young as 20.
The flaky appearance of superficial BCC is easily mistaken for noncancerous conditions likepsoriasisandnummular eczemaas well as precancerous conditions such asactinic keratosis.
Actinic Keratosis vs. Basal Cell Carcinoma: Differences and Similarities
Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma
Because of its coloring and its tendency to bleed easily, pigmented nodular BCC is often mistaken for invasive melanoma. In fact, both forms of cancer share many of the same features. A pigmented nodular BCC lesion is typically well-demarcated and, like invasive melanoma, can grow quickly.
How the 4 Types of Melanoma Differ
Morpheaform Basal Cell Carcinoma
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet and ©Te Whatu Oradermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet and ©Te Whatu Oradermnetnz.org2023.
Morpheaformbasal cell carcinoma is the third most common subtype of BCC, accounting for between 5% and 10% of cases.
Morpheaform BCC may look more like a scar than a lesion and is most commonly found around the middle of the face.
Morpheaform BCC tends to be more aggressive than nodular or superficial BCC and is notorious for being missed during a skin examination.
Morpheaform BCC is sometimes referred to as infiltrative or infiltrating BCC because the lesion can sometimes penetrate the epidermis and infiltrate the lower layer of skin, called thedermis. Because of this, there’s a higher risk of recurrence compared to the other BCC subtypes.
How Basal Cell Carcinoma Is Treated
Frequently Asked QuestionsBasal cell carcinoma grows slowly. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but can become locally invasive. This can take years. Nevertheless, early diagnosis and treatment are still important.A basal cell carcinoma that has not yet invaded deeper skin layers may look like a pink indentation, a scaly growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, a raised patch of irritated/red skin, a mole-like growth, or a waxy scar-like patch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but can become locally invasive. This can take years. Nevertheless, early diagnosis and treatment are still important.
A basal cell carcinoma that has not yet invaded deeper skin layers may look like a pink indentation, a scaly growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, a raised patch of irritated/red skin, a mole-like growth, or a waxy scar-like patch.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Marzuka AG, Book SE.Basal cell carcinoma: pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, histopathology, and management.Yale J Biol Med. 2015;88(2):167-179.
Ryu TH, Kye H, Choi JE, Ahn HH, Kye YC, Seo SH.Features causing confusion between basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in clinical diagnosis.Ann Dermatol.2018;30(1):64-70. doi:10.5021/ad.2018.30.1.64
McDaniel B, Badri T.Basal cell carcinoma. In: StatPearls.
Mackiewicz-Wysocka M, Bowszyc-Dmochowska M, Strzelecka-Węklar D, Dańczak-Pazdrowska A, Adamski Z.Basal cell carcinoma - diagnosis.Contemp Oncol (Pozn). 2013;17(4):337-42. doi:10.5114/wo.2013.35684
Ciążyńska M, Narbutt J, Woźniacka A, Lesiak A.Trends in basal cell carcinoma incidence rates: A 16-year retrospective study of a population in central Poland.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2018;35(1):47-52. doi:10.5114/ada.2018.73164
Casari A, Pellacani G, Seidenari S, et al.Pigmented nodular basal cell carcinomas in differential diagnosis with nodular melanomas: Confocal microscopy as a reliable tool for in vivo histologic diagnosis.J Skin Cancer. 2011;2011:406859. doi:10.1155/2011/406859
East E, Fullen DR, Arps D, et al.Morpheaform basal cell carcinomas with areas of predominantly single-cell pattern of infiltration: Diagnostic utility of p63 and cytokeratin.Am J Dermatopathol.2016;38(10):744-50. doi:10.1097/DAD.0000000000000541
Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal Cell Carcinoma Overview.
American Academy of Dermatology.Skin Cancer Types: Basal Cell Carcinoma Signs and Symptoms.
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