What Are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer?
Skin Cancer Symptoms
Physicians often get asked, “What are the symptoms of skin cancer?”
There are different types of skin cancer and each type may have slightly different symptoms from each other. In general, the following symptoms appearing on the skin may be causes for concern and should be shown to a physician for further testing.
- Changes in the skin such as new growths, dark pigmented spots that appear, and changes in color or size of any moles on the body.
- If any nodules or bumps on the body change appearance. For example, they were smooth and are now oozing, scaly, or bleeding.
- Marks or moles on the body where pigmentation appears to be spreading beyond the border of the growth.
- Skin develops a change in feeling or sensation such as pain, tenderness, or itching.
These are general symptoms that, when noticed, should be brought to the attention of a physician as soon as possible. These changes do not necessarily mean that skin cancer is present, however, they may be signs that skin cancer has developed. Presenting any skin changes to a physician is the only way to know for certain if skin cancer has developed or not.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma symptoms may appear as a waxy or pearly colored bump. Other symptoms may appear as a flat surfaced flesh or brown colored lesion that can resemble scar tissue.
This type of skin cancer is normally found on sun-exposed areas of the body. The face, scalp, ears, and forearms are very common areas that basal cell carcinoma may appear.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Reddish nodules that are firm to the touch are a symptom of squamous cell carcinoma. Another symptom may appear as a scaly or crusty flat surfaced lesion.
Squamous cell carcinoma normally appears on sun-exposed areas of the skin. Common areas for this type of skin cancer are on the face, ears, lips, forearms, and hands.
Melanoma
Common symptoms of melanoma are relatively large brown spots with a darker center, like a freckle. Other symptoms may be moles that seem to change in color, texture, size, or starts to bleed. Small lesions with borders that are irregular and parts that look blue-black, red, blue, or white are also cause for concern. Dark lesions that appear on palms or soles, fingertips, toes, and on the lining of the nose, mouth, vagina, or anus are other symptoms of melanoma skin cancer.
Unlike basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, which normally appear on sun-exposed skin, melanoma skin cancer can develop anywhere on the body. It can be in normal looking skin or in a mole or mark that develops the cancer. In men, it often shows up on the trunk of the body, head, or the neck. In women, melanoma skin cancer often appears on the area of the lower legs.
Lesser Known Skin Cancers
Symptoms for lesser known skin cancers can be bright purple or reddish patches showing up on the skin or mucous membranes. These can occur when the person develops kaposi sarcoma which is a relatively rare skin cancer form.
Shiny, firm nodules on top or just beneath the skin surface or in hair follicles may be symptoms of merkel cell carcinoma. This type of skin cancer is normally located on sun-exposed skin such as the head and neck, arms, and lower legs.
Sebaceous gland carcinoma symptoms can appear to be hard or firm nodules that are painless. They can be found anywhere, however, most of these nodules will be found on the eyelid and are often mistaken for common eyelid health problems.
References
Mayo Clinic - Skin Cancer Symptoms: https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/DS00190/DSECTION=symptoms
Cancer.org - Skin Cancer Facts: https://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/SunandUVExposure/skin-cancer-facts