5 Warning Signs of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is an illness involving abnormal cells growing in your skin tissues. Skin cancer occurs when something changes how your skin cells grow, like exposure to ultraviolet light. Most skin cancers are treatable and curable if identified and treated in their early stages.

Skin cancer can spread, or metastasize, to nearby tissue or other areas in your body if it’s not caught early. That’s why it’s important to talk with your health care provider if you suspect any skin cancer symptoms. Keep reading to learn the five warning signs of skin cancer with an easy-to-remember acronym. You’ll also learn the kinds of skin cancer, skin cancer symptoms, treatment options and more.

Early-Stage Skin Cancer

Early-stage skin cancer can appear as a new spot that changes, or as a sore that doesn't heal. Common signs include a new or changing mole with irregular borders, color or size, and non-healing sores, bumps or scaly patches. To check for signs, use the ABCDE method for moles (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution), which is an easy acronym to remember the five warning signs of skin cancer. See a doctor for anything unusual that doesn't heal within a few weeks.

Signs of Skin Cancer

Use the "ABCDE" method to check moles and spots for the five warning signs of skin cancer:

• Asymmetrical: One half of the spot doesn't match the other.
• Border: Edges are irregular, blurred or notched.
• Color: The color is uneven, with shades of brown, black, pink, red or white.
• Diameter: The spot is larger than six millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).
• Evolving: The spot changes in size, shape, color or elevation.

Be aware that the above could indicate a possible skin cancer spot.

Other types of spots that are considered red flags include:

• A dark spot under a fingernail or toenail
  • A flat, scaly patch that is flesh-colored or pink
  • A small, sometimes shiny bump that grows slowly
  • A sore that won't heal and may bleed or crust over
  • A tender or painful spot

We recommend scheduling an appointment with your doctor if you have skin spots that fit these descriptions as they could be skin cancer symptoms. It’s always best to get checked.

Kinds of Skin Cancer

The three main kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are more common and usually develop on sun-exposed areas of the skin, while melanoma is less common but more dangerous because it can spread to other parts of the body. Another less common type of skin cancer is Merkel cell carcinoma, which made headlines when musician Jimmy Buffett succumbed to the disease in 2023.

Basal Cell Skin Cancer Symptoms

Basal cell carcinoma usually appears on areas of the body with high sun exposure, such as the face, neck, arms, legs, ears and hands. However, it can appear in other areas as well, making it important to check for unexpected skin cancer spots where they can hide.

Basal cell skin cancer symptoms can include:

• A sore that bleeds, doesn't fully heal or that reoccurs
• Flat, rough or scar-like patch on the skin
• Pearly or waxy bump on the skin

Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Symptoms

Squamous cell carcinoma also commonly develops in areas of high sun exposure. It can also affect areas that are not exposed to sunlight, especially in people with darker skin tones.

Signs of squamous cell carcinoma include:

• A firm, red nodule
• A painful or itchy skin lesion
• A scaly or crusty lesion with irregular borders

Melanoma Skin Cancer Symptoms

Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body and may develop out of existing moles. In people with darker skin tones, melanoma tends to occur on the palms or soles of the feet.

Signs of melanoma include:

• Change in the appearance of a mole
• Development of a large brown spot, often with irregular edges

As the most dangerous of the common types of skin cancer, be aware of the signs of melanoma and get any unusual spots checked by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Symptoms

Merkel cell carcinoma typically shows up on a person’s face or neck or in other areas that are often exposed to the sun, like the arm. It can also be found in places like inside the nose or esophagus.

Merkel cell carcinoma is often mistaken for a cyst; however, cysts can be painful while Merkel cell spots don’t typically cause discomfort.

Signs of Merkel cell carcinoma include:

• A growing skin sore
• A stye or cyst
• Bleeding at the sore’s site
• Fast-growing skin mass
• Firm, dome-shaped growth
• Spot grows or changes rapidly
• Spot is red, pink or purple
• Tender or itchy to the touch, but not necessarily painful

Seek prompt medical attention if you notice any of the above symptoms.

Leading-Edge Skin Cancer Treatment Delivered With Uncommon Compassion

By focusing on all three tiers of skin cancer treatment — surgery, radiation and chemotherapy — our world-class team can help you heal. Your multi-disciplinary, highly specialized and compassionate oncology team will give you solid support with leading-edge procedures, treatments and therapies that include:

• Cryosurgery
• Electrosurgery
• Excisional Surgery
• Laser Surgery
• Mohs Micrographic Surgery
• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
• Topical Medications

Healing From Head to Toe

You are not alone. Our dedicated team of oncologists will consult with you every step of the way, so you'll always feel informed about your progress. Together, we'll strive for full healing, recovery and whole health — body, mind and spirit.

If you have concerns or show signs of skin cancer, visit us here. You deserve to feel whole.