Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPrecancerous LesionsBasal Cell CarcinomaSquamous Cell CarcinomaMelanomaHow to Check YourselfWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Precancerous Lesions
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Melanoma
How to Check Yourself
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Early skin cancer can be challenging to recognize. Symptoms can be very subtle, such as a dry patch developing on your lip or ear.
Skin canceris not uncommon, as one in five Americans will develop skin cancer before age 70.Learning to spot the warning signs is vital because, when identified early, skin cancer ishighly curable. Do you know what to look for or when to seek medical advice?
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Precancerous lesions do not always progress to cancer. However, if left untreated, some lesions can develop into skin cancer, which is why it is good to know what these potentially early skin cancer signs look like.
Actinic Keratosis
The patches that form from actinic keratosis are small, scaly, and dry, and their color varies, appearing as different shades of pink, white, and brown, or resembling the color of one’s skin. Due to their rough texture and depending on their location on the body, actinic keratosis may be felt before being seen.
Actinic Cheilitis
If left untreated, actinic cheilitis can evolve into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of skin cancer. Every year there are over 3,500 new lip cancer cases in the United States, and 90% of these are SCC.
Cutaneous Horns
Cutaneous horns are skin lesions made of keratin (the fibrous protein that makes up your nails and hair) that typically appear in sun-exposed areas of the body. The keratin forms growths that resemble small animal horns. Cutaneous horns can vary in size and shape and are more commonly seen in older adults.
Seek Medical Advice ASAPIf you find a lesion, seek medical advice as soon as possible. There is no way that your healthcare provider can determine which precancerous lesions will progress to cancer without a careful examination. To reduce the risk of early skin cancer, treatment usually involves removing precancerous lesions.
Seek Medical Advice ASAP
If you find a lesion, seek medical advice as soon as possible. There is no way that your healthcare provider can determine which precancerous lesions will progress to cancer without a careful examination. To reduce the risk of early skin cancer, treatment usually involves removing precancerous lesions.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Basal cell carcinoma(BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, with over 2 million Americans diagnosed annually. BCC appears in the basal cells, the new skin cells produced as others die off. In most cases, BCC grows slowly, rarely spreads to other parts of the body, and is highly treatable if detected in the early stages.
BCC can occur anywhere on the body but is more common in areas exposed to the sun. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of BCC. The main skin changes to look for include:
Although these are the most common signs to watch out for, BCC can easily be mistaken for other skin disorders. Be aware of new or unusual symptoms. If in doubt, seek advice from a medical professional as soon as you notice a skin change.
What Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Look Like?
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer, with over 1 million diagnoses each year in the United States. If left untreated, it can grow rapidly and spread. Regular checks for unusual or new skin changes can help catch SCC early.
SCC warning signs include:
Although not as common as BCC or SCC,melanomais the most threatening form of skin cancer. If left untreated, it can spread rapidly to other organs and the lymphatic system. Melanomas can appear anywhere on the body, but the most common location in women is on the arms and legs and in men, the head, neck, back, and trunk.
When checking your moles, the two most important techniques to remember are:
These are discussed in more detail below, along with how to conduct a skin examination at home.
Atypical Moles (Dysplastic Nevi)
Atypical moles, or dysplastic nevi, are not cancerous but can develop into skin cancer if left untreated. In most cases, atypical moles appear larger and are more irregular in shape than regular moles. They also may have an uneven border and be of more than one color.
2:02Click Play to Understand What Skin Cancer Looks Like
2:02
Click Play to Understand What Skin Cancer Looks Like
Bychecking your skin regularly, you will learn to recognize what spots, moles, and marks are already present and how they typically appear. The more you get to know your skin, the easier it will be for you to detect changes, such as new lesions or spots and moles that have changed in shape, size, or color, or have begun bleeding.
It is best to use a full-length mirror when checking your skin for changes or early signs of skin cancer. Observe your body in the mirror from all angles—front, back, and on each side.
Use a small mirror to get a closer look at your buttocks and your back. You can also use a small mirror to examine your face, neck, head, and scalp. Don’t forget to part your hair and feel around your scalp.
ABCDE ProcedureWhen checking moles, this is what to look for:A - Asymmetry: Is the shape asymmetrical? Melanomas tend to be uneven, with one half not matching the other. Moles are much more symmetrical in shape.B - Border: How does the border look? Melanomas often have an irregular, poorly defined, or jagged edge, while moles tend to have a smooth, even border.C - Color:Is the color even? Each melanoma can have more than one color or have varying shades of one color. Moles tend to be even in color.D - Diameter:How big is the mole, spot, or lesion? Most melanomas are larger than 6 millimeters (about 0.25 inches).E - Evolving:Is the mole evolving? Melanomas change in size, shape, and color, while normal moles tend to remain the same.
ABCDE Procedure
When checking moles, this is what to look for:A - Asymmetry: Is the shape asymmetrical? Melanomas tend to be uneven, with one half not matching the other. Moles are much more symmetrical in shape.B - Border: How does the border look? Melanomas often have an irregular, poorly defined, or jagged edge, while moles tend to have a smooth, even border.C - Color:Is the color even? Each melanoma can have more than one color or have varying shades of one color. Moles tend to be even in color.D - Diameter:How big is the mole, spot, or lesion? Most melanomas are larger than 6 millimeters (about 0.25 inches).E - Evolving:Is the mole evolving? Melanomas change in size, shape, and color, while normal moles tend to remain the same.
When checking moles, this is what to look for:
A - Asymmetry: Is the shape asymmetrical? Melanomas tend to be uneven, with one half not matching the other. Moles are much more symmetrical in shape.
B - Border: How does the border look? Melanomas often have an irregular, poorly defined, or jagged edge, while moles tend to have a smooth, even border.
C - Color:Is the color even? Each melanoma can have more than one color or have varying shades of one color. Moles tend to be even in color.
D - Diameter:How big is the mole, spot, or lesion? Most melanomas are larger than 6 millimeters (about 0.25 inches).
E - Evolving:Is the mole evolving? Melanomas change in size, shape, and color, while normal moles tend to remain the same.
The Ugly Duckling Sign
The “ugly duckling sign” is another warning method to help identify melanomas. Usually, moles on your body look quite similar to each other. However, compared to other moles, melanomas tend to stand out like an ugly duckling. The more you check your skin and become familiar with it, the easier it becomes to spot an ugly duckling early.
It is always vital to seek medical advice early for a skin change, no matter how small it may appear. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider for a skin exam if you notice:
A Word From Verywell
Early signs of skin cancer—moles, dry patches, sores, and other lesions—can be treated to prevent cancer from progressing, so it’s important to examine your own skin regularly. Be sure to point out to your healthcare provider any areas of concern. The sooner you identify skin changes, the better your chances of preventing skin cancer altogether.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes. Your doctor will run tests to be sure an unusual skin mark is not something else such as psoriasis, sebaceous hyperplasia, nevi (moles), or cherry angiomas.Learn MoreGuide to PsoriasisIt may. Some types of skin cancer such as melanoma and basal cell carcinoma may appear suddenly as bumps, scar-like patches, or moles.Learn MoreDifference Between Moles and and Melanoma
Yes. Your doctor will run tests to be sure an unusual skin mark is not something else such as psoriasis, sebaceous hyperplasia, nevi (moles), or cherry angiomas.Learn MoreGuide to Psoriasis
Yes. Your doctor will run tests to be sure an unusual skin mark is not something else such as psoriasis, sebaceous hyperplasia, nevi (moles), or cherry angiomas.
Learn MoreGuide to Psoriasis
It may. Some types of skin cancer such as melanoma and basal cell carcinoma may appear suddenly as bumps, scar-like patches, or moles.Learn MoreDifference Between Moles and and Melanoma
It may. Some types of skin cancer such as melanoma and basal cell carcinoma may appear suddenly as bumps, scar-like patches, or moles.
Learn MoreDifference Between Moles and and Melanoma
14 SourcesVerywell 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.The Skin Cancer Foundation.Skin cancer 101.The Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Overview.Muse ME, Crane JS.Actinic cheilitis. StatPearls.Phulari R, Rathore R, Talegaon T, Shah A.Cutaneous horn: a mask to underlying malignancy.Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. 2018;22(4):87. doi:10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_156_17American Academy of Dermatology Association.5 facts you should know about pre-cancerous skin growths.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.The Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma warning signs.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.The Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma warning signs.American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma Skin Cancer.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: who gets and types.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Detect skin cancer: How to perform a skin self-exam.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What to look for: ABDCEs of Melanoma.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of Skin Cancer.
14 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.The Skin Cancer Foundation.Skin cancer 101.The Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Overview.Muse ME, Crane JS.Actinic cheilitis. StatPearls.Phulari R, Rathore R, Talegaon T, Shah A.Cutaneous horn: a mask to underlying malignancy.Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. 2018;22(4):87. doi:10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_156_17American Academy of Dermatology Association.5 facts you should know about pre-cancerous skin growths.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.The Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma warning signs.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.The Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma warning signs.American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma Skin Cancer.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: who gets and types.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Detect skin cancer: How to perform a skin self-exam.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What to look for: ABDCEs of Melanoma.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of Skin Cancer.
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.
The Skin Cancer Foundation.Skin cancer 101.The Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Overview.Muse ME, Crane JS.Actinic cheilitis. StatPearls.Phulari R, Rathore R, Talegaon T, Shah A.Cutaneous horn: a mask to underlying malignancy.Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. 2018;22(4):87. doi:10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_156_17American Academy of Dermatology Association.5 facts you should know about pre-cancerous skin growths.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.The Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma warning signs.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.The Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma warning signs.American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma Skin Cancer.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: who gets and types.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Detect skin cancer: How to perform a skin self-exam.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What to look for: ABDCEs of Melanoma.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of Skin Cancer.
The Skin Cancer Foundation.Skin cancer 101.
The Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Overview.
Muse ME, Crane JS.Actinic cheilitis. StatPearls.
Phulari R, Rathore R, Talegaon T, Shah A.Cutaneous horn: a mask to underlying malignancy.Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. 2018;22(4):87. doi:10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_156_17
American Academy of Dermatology Association.5 facts you should know about pre-cancerous skin growths.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.
The Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma warning signs.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.
The Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma warning signs.
American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma Skin Cancer.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: who gets and types.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Detect skin cancer: How to perform a skin self-exam.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What to look for: ABDCEs of Melanoma.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of Skin Cancer.
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