Skin Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Warning signs of skin cancer

A smiling mature Asian couple represents the power and value of knowing skin cancer symptoms.

Warning signs of skin cancer

Knowledge and awareness are important tools to protect yourself from skin cancer. This includes:


  • Learning the warning signs and symptoms of skin cancer
  • Being aware of how your skin normally looks and feels
  • Having your skin checked at least once a year by a physician
  • Knowing what to do if you’re experiencing skin cancer symptoms


At Scripps Cancer Center, we understand the importance of early detection, and help equip our patients and the community with the most valuable information. Keep reading to learn more about symptoms specific to a few different types of skin cancer.

Skin cancer signs and symptoms

Symptoms of skin cancer can vary depending on the specific type, including:


  • Basal cell carcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Melanoma

Basal cell carcinoma symptoms

Basal cell cancers most often develop on the face, head and neck, but they can occur anywhere on the body.


Signs of basal cell cancer may include:


  • Flat, firm, pale or pearly areas
  • Raised reddish patches that may itch
  • Small pink or red translucent or shiny bumps, possibly with dark areas
  • Pink growths with raised edges and a lower center
  • Open sores, possibly oozing or crusted, that don’t heal or that heal and return

Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms

Squamous cell cancers usually develop on areas exposed to the sun, including the face, ear, neck, lip and back of the hands.


Signs of squamous cell cancer may include:


  • Rough, scaly or crusty red patches that may bleed
  • Raised growths or lumps, sometimes with a lower center
  • Open sores, possibly oozing or crusted, that don’t heal or that heal and return
  • Wart-like growths

Melanoma symptoms

The main signs of melanoma are a new spot on the skin, a spot that looks different than any other spots on your skin, or a spot that is changing in size, shape or color. Melanoma may arise from a benign mole that changes or arise on their own.


Other warning signs are:


  • A sore that doesn’t heal
  • Pigment that spreads from the border of a spot into surrounding skin
  • Redness or a new swelling outside of the border of the mole
  • Itchiness, tenderness or pain
  • Changes in the surface of a mole, including scaly skin, oozing, bleeding or a new lump

How to handle the warning signs

Having any of these signs or symptoms does not mean you have skin cancer. Allergic reactions, bumps and bruises may cause similar symptoms, and many skin spots are harmless. But it’s a good idea to call your doctor right away if you notice unusual changes on your skin, especially on your head, face, neck and arms. It’s important to find out what’s causing these changes, and if you do have skin cancer, early detection can make treatment easier and more successful.