What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer?
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer?

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer?
Skin Cancer Symptoms
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Updated on October 1, 2025
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Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells, and it’s usually caused by sun exposure. It’s the most common type of cancer and can be one of the most treatable, with early detection key to stopping its recurrence.

It’s important to check all your skin regularly for any skin growths that are new or change in size, shape, or color, even in areas that don’t get a lot of sun. Knowing the symptoms of the different types of skin cancer can help you determine when to have these spots checked by a doctor or dermatologist outside of a normal visit.

Types of Skin Cancer

Skin cancers are classified according to where they begin. Each type of skin cancer can have different symptoms, treatment, and prognoses.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma starts in the basal cells in the outer layer of skin called the epidermis. This layer is responsible for producing new skin cells.

This is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for 8 of 10 skin cancer cases. Although basal cell carcinoma cases rarely lead to death or spread to other parts of the body, they can result in complications or recur.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This common type of cancer also starts out in the epidermis in squamous cells and occurs when these flat cells grow out of control. About 2 in 10 skin cancer cases are squamous cell carcinoma.

 They are more common in males, people who have fair skin, people ages 65 and older, and those who have had long-term sun exposure.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes, the cells that make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. It typically starts on skin that gets a lot of sun exposure, though it can also occur elsewhere, such as in the eyes or even inside the body, including the nose or throat.

Although melanoma also can be curable, it is more likely to spread than other forms of skin cancer and is considered more dangerous.

Other Skin Cancers

Rarer types of skin cancers, about 1 percent, include:

  • Sarcomas, including Kaposi sarcoma, which occur in soft tissue
  • Merkel cell carcinoma, which occurs in sensory cells in the epidermis
  • Lymphoma of the skin, which starts in the lymphoid tissue of skin
  • Skin adnexal tumors, which start in hair follicles or skin glands

Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer

The different types of skin cancer can look different and may be more likely to appear in certain areas of your body. Some may share similar characteristics, however.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Symptoms

Basal cell cancer can appear anywhere but tends to develop on parts of the body that get a lot of sun exposure, such as the face, head, and neck.

Although it can be flat and look like normal skin, it also can have more distinctive characteristics, including:

  • Small pink, red, pearly translucent, or shiny bumps, possibly with areas of blue, brown, or black
  • Pink growths with slightly raised edges and an indentation in the center; tiny blood vessels might run through it like the spokes of a wheel
  • Open sores, possibly with oozing or crusted areas, that don’t heal or that go through cycles of healing and bleeding
  • Flat, firm, pale, or yellow areas that resemble a scar
  • Raised, reddish patches of skin that might be itchy or irritated
  • Delicate areas that bleed easily, such as a sore or cut that lingers longer than one week

These slow-growing skin cancers can be easy to ignore unless they become big and begin to itch, bleed, or even hurt.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Symptoms

Like basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer tends to develop on parts of the body that get a lot of sun, such as the face, neck, ear, lips, and back of the hands. It might also appear in scars or skin sores anywhere on the body.

While squamous cell carcinoma can look like a flat area resembling healthy skin, there may be clearer signs of malignancy, including:

  • Rough or scaly red patches that may bleed or crust
  • Raised growths or lumps, sometimes with a depression in the center
  • Open sores, possibly with oozing or crusted areas, that don’t heal or that go through cycles of healing and bleeding
  • Growths that resemble warts
A history of genital warts can be a risk factor of squamous cell carcinoma in the genital area. This skin cancer also can develop from a noncancerous lesion called actinic keratosis, which are small, crusty, or scaly and can be tiny or as wide as 1 inch.

Melanoma Symptoms

Melanoma can develop anywhere on the skin but is more likely to start on the chest and back in men and on the legs in women.

People with darker skin pigment are significantly less likely to get skin cancer in these areas than those with lighter skin. Melanoma may develop, however, on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, in the eyes, or underneath the nails.

Most melanoma cells still produce the pigment melanin, so they are often tan, black, or brown, but they can also contain colors of red, white, and blue.

About 30 percent of melanoma cases begin as existing moles, but they also may appear on otherwise normal skin. One way to assess if a spot is melanoma is to use the ABCDE system, examining if it has the following characteristics.

  • A is for asymmetry. One half of the spot does not match the other.
  • B is for border. Edges are irregular, scalloped, or notched.
  • C is for color. Parts of the spot may be different colors, from shades of tan, brown, and black, to red and blue.
  • D is for diameter. The spot is bigger than the eraser on a pencil, about ¼ inch.
  • E is for evolving. The spot changes in size, color, shape, and elevation.

Not all moles will develop into melanoma. And some melanomas don’t neatly fit into the ABCDE categories, as well. If you notice changes in a spot on your skin, or if it does not heal or appears unusual, talk to your doctor.

Potential Complications of Skin Cancer

Although skin cancer often can be treated and cured if caught early, there can be complications, including death. Complications can include:

  • Metastasis and Nearby Tissue Damage In more serious cases, skin cancer can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, brain, or lymph nodes. That’s why early detection is key: If melanoma spreads to lymph nodes, for example, the five-year survival rate drops from 99 percent to 66 percent or lower, depending on the lymph nodes’ location.

     Skin cancer also can cause damage to nearby skin, leading to open sores, infections, or scarring.
  • Local Invasion Sometimes, skin cancer can grow into nearby skin or deeper tissues. This can cause pain and damage to healthy tissue and make treatment more difficult. In some cases, it may also lead to changes in appearance or affect how that part of the body works.

  • Recurrence If you have had skin cancer, you are at higher risk of it coming back, even after treatment. The chance of it returning depends on the type and size of the cancer. Regular follow-up care is recommended to catch any recurrence early. If you have had basal cell carcinoma, checkups are recommended every 6 to 12 months. If you have had squamous cell carcinoma, checkups are recommended every 3 to 6 months, with less frequency if you go years without recurrence.

  • Other Cancers In addition to being at risk for skin cancer recurrence, you may be at risk for other types of cancer occurring. These may include prostate, breast, and colon cancer.

  • Side Effects of Treatment Surgery to remove skin cancer, such as Mohs surgery, can require recovery and leave a scar. Immunotherapy, which can treat patients with high-risk and metastatic melanoma as well as other advanced skin cancers, includes risks of immune side effects such as rash, diarrhea, and liver inflammation, says Thomas Stringer, MD, a dermatologist at MedStar Health in the Washington, DC, area.

When to See a Doctor

It’s important to perform self-checks to discover potential problem areas on your skin and even identify skin cancer. If you have had skin cancer or are otherwise at risk for it, it is wise to check your whole body for unusual growths regularly. This includes areas that may not receive much sun exposure, such as your scalp, palms, the soles of your feet, between your toes, your genital area, inside your mouth, and between your buttocks.

Reach out to your doctor if you discover a spot on your skin that is changing in shape, size, or color.

 If a sore or wound has not healed in four weeks or has reopened, it also may be worth getting checked out.

It may be wise to get a professional skin exam at least once a year, or more if you have additional risk factors or your doctor or dermatologist suggests it.

Dr. Stringer suggests a skin exam if you have:

  • A growing, changing, bleeding, or painful skin lesion
  • A family history of skin cancer or a large number of moles
  • A great deal of sun damage throughout your lifetime, which can appear as thinning, wrinkling, and darkening of the skin
At the visit, your provider will check your skin, take a biopsy (small sample) of any skin growths that look suspicious, make a diagnosis, and discuss treatment options. Your doctor or dermatologist also may freeze skin growths that appear precancerous or potentially troublesome to stave off future growth.

The Takeaway

  • Skin cancer symptoms vary by type, but areas exposed to the sun may be more prone to developing basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma.
  • Early detection of skin cancer improves treatment success and can prevent it from spreading to other body parts.
  • Check your skin regularly for suspicious changes, such as evolving moles or sores that don’t heal, and call your doctor to investigate them.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Skin Cancer (Including Melanoma) — Patient Version. National Cancer Institute.
  2. Skin Cancer. Cleveland Clinic. May 3, 2023.
  3. Key Statistics for Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers. American Cancer Society. October 31, 2023.
  4. What Are Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers? American Cancer Society. November 15, 2024.
  5. Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cleveland Clinic. April 15, 2022.
  6. Melanoma. Mayo Clinic. December 30, 2023.
  7. Melanoma. Cleveland Clinic. June 21, 2021.
  8. Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Symptoms. American Cancer Society. October 31, 2024.
  9. Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Harvard Health Publishing. December 29, 2014.
  10. Melanoma. American Academy of Dermatology. June 20, 2025.
  11. Skin Cancer. StatPearls. February 17, 2025.
  12. Living as a Basal or Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Survivor. American Cancer Society. October 31, 2023.
  13. Ni Y et al. Absolute Risk of Developing a Second Primary Cancer After a First Primary Melanoma: An Australian Population-Based Cohort Study. American Journal of Epidemiology. March 31, 2025.
  14. Can Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers Be Found Early? American Cancer Society. October 31, 2023.
  15. Skin Cancer Prevention. UCLA Health.
  16. Annual Exams. Skin Cancer Foundation.
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Blair Murphy-Rose, MD

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Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and the founder of Skincare Junkie. She is an accomplished cosmetic, medical, and surgical dermatologist, specializing in leading-edge facial rejuvenation techniques, including injectable fillers and botulinum toxin injections, advanced laser procedures, noninvasive body contouring, and removing lumps and bumps with precision. She is an expert in the treatment and detection of medical conditions, including skin cancer, acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. Dr. Rose believes in a comprehensive approach to skin health and incorporating a skin-care routine tailored specifically for each individual and utilizing a wide array of tools to target specific skin concerns.

Rose has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dermatology Surgery, and Pediatric Dermatology, and has been featured in numerous publications, including Vogue, Elle, Allure, Cosmopolitan, Self, Women’s Health, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.

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