Pictures of skin cancer
This article contains images of different types of skin cancer, as well as ways of self-diagnosis.
Skin cancer is the only cancer you can see. Therefore, it is important to monitor changes in the skin and visit a dermatologist for any abnormalities. A mole began to grow noticeably - it could be a melanoma. A non-healing wound appeared - it could be a basal cell carcinoma. A growth appeared on the lip - it could be a carcinoma. Skin cancer detected at an early stage is almost completely cured and has a low chance of recurrence.
What signs do different types of cancer have and what they look like: read and see in our material written with the support of skincancer.org
What signs do different types of cancer have and what they look like: read and see in our material written with the support of skincancer.org
Finding melanoma at an early stage is crucial; early detection can vastly increase your chances for cure.
Look for anything new, changing or unusual on both sun-exposed and sun-protected areas of the body. Melanomas commonly appear on the legs of women, and the number one place they develop on men is the trunk. Keep in mind, though, that melanomas can arise anywhere on the skin, even in areas where the sun doesn’t shine.
Most moles, brown spots and growths on the skin are harmless – but not always. The ABCDEs & Ugly Duckling signs can help you detect melanoma.
The first five letters of the alphabet are a guide to help you recognize the warning signs of melanoma.
A is for Asymmetry. Most melanomas are asymmetrical. If you draw a line through the middle of the lesion, the two halves don’t match, so it looks different from a round to oval and symmetrical common mole.
B is for Border. Melanoma borders tend to be uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges, while common moles tend to have smoother, more even borders.
C is for Color. Multiple colors are a warning sign. While benign moles are usually a single shade of brown, a melanoma may have different shades of brown, tan or black. As it grows, the colors red, white or blue may also appear.
D is for Diameter or Dark. While it’s ideal to detect a melanoma when it is small, it’s a warning sign if a lesion is the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm, or ¼ inch in diameter) or larger. Some experts say it is also important to look for any lesion, no matter what size, that is darker than others. Rare, amelanotic melanomas are colorless.
E is for Evolving. Any change in size, shape, color or elevation of a spot on your skin, or any new symptom in it, such as bleeding, itching or crusting, may be a warning sign of melanoma.
Look for anything new, changing or unusual on both sun-exposed and sun-protected areas of the body. Melanomas commonly appear on the legs of women, and the number one place they develop on men is the trunk. Keep in mind, though, that melanomas can arise anywhere on the skin, even in areas where the sun doesn’t shine.
Most moles, brown spots and growths on the skin are harmless – but not always. The ABCDEs & Ugly Duckling signs can help you detect melanoma.
The first five letters of the alphabet are a guide to help you recognize the warning signs of melanoma.
A is for Asymmetry. Most melanomas are asymmetrical. If you draw a line through the middle of the lesion, the two halves don’t match, so it looks different from a round to oval and symmetrical common mole.
B is for Border. Melanoma borders tend to be uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges, while common moles tend to have smoother, more even borders.
C is for Color. Multiple colors are a warning sign. While benign moles are usually a single shade of brown, a melanoma may have different shades of brown, tan or black. As it grows, the colors red, white or blue may also appear.
D is for Diameter or Dark. While it’s ideal to detect a melanoma when it is small, it’s a warning sign if a lesion is the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm, or ¼ inch in diameter) or larger. Some experts say it is also important to look for any lesion, no matter what size, that is darker than others. Rare, amelanotic melanomas are colorless.
E is for Evolving. Any change in size, shape, color or elevation of a spot on your skin, or any new symptom in it, such as bleeding, itching or crusting, may be a warning sign of melanoma.
A is for Asymmetry
B is for Border
C is for Color
D is for Diameter/Dark
E is for Evolving (Before)
E is for Evolving (After)
Melanoma Warning Signs
Amelanotic melanomas are missing the dark pigment melanin that gives most moles their color. Amelanotic melanomas may be pinkish, reddish, white, the color of your skin or even clear and colorless, making them difficult to recognize.
A nodular melanoma developing within an amelanotic mel-ma in situ.
An example of a flat, amelanotic, superficial spreading melanoma.
Acral lentiginous melanoma, the most common form of melanoma found in people of color, often appears in hard-to-spot places, including under the fingernails or toenails, on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is the most common melanoma found in people of color.
Ocular (uveal) melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of melanocyte cells growing inside the eyeball, in one of its layers.
Women are more susceptible to this disease, most often the diagnosis is made in patients older than 50 years.
Nail melanoma is one of the rarest forms of malignant neoplasms. It develops in the area of the nail bed, at first it looks like a dark or black spot or stripe, the size of which gradually increases, affecting the nail roller, the bone of the phalanx and its soft tissues.
The appearance of nail cancer is similar to a post-traumatic bruise. At the same time, the most frequent place of appearance is considered to be the thumb of the hand.
Promptly! Regularly! At Home!
Device&app for mapping and checking moles at home! Early diagnosis of skin cancer using bioimpedance.
The set includes: NOTA mole tracker, 2 scan heads, 2 velvet storage bag, 20 alcohol wipes, USB cable.
Check for BCCs where your skin is most exposed to the sun, especially the face, ears, neck, scalp, chest, shoulders and back, but remember that they can occur anywhere on the body. Frequently, two or more of these warning signs are visible in a BCC tumor.
An open sore that does not heal, and may bleed, ooze or crust. The sore might persist for weeks, or appear to heal and then come back.
A reddish patch or irritated area, on the face, chest, shoulder, arm or leg that may crust, itch, hurt or cause no discomfort.
A shiny bump or nodule that is pearly or clear, pink, red or white. The bump can also be tan, black or brown, especially in dark-skinned people, and can be mistaken for a normal mole.
A small pink growth with a slightly raised, rolled edge and a crusted indentation in the center that may develop tiny surface blood vessels over time.
A scar-like area that is flat white, yellow or waxy in color. The skin appears shiny and taut, often with poorly defined borders. This warning sign may indicate an invasive BCC.
An open sore that does not heal, and may bleed, ooze or crust. The sore might persist for weeks, or appear to heal and then come back.
A reddish patch or irritated area, on the face, chest, shoulder, arm or leg that may crust, itch, hurt or cause no discomfort.
A shiny bump or nodule that is pearly or clear, pink, red or white. The bump can also be tan, black or brown, especially in dark-skinned people, and can be mistaken for a normal mole.
A small pink growth with a slightly raised, rolled edge and a crusted indentation in the center that may develop tiny surface blood vessels over time.
A scar-like area that is flat white, yellow or waxy in color. The skin appears shiny and taut, often with poorly defined borders. This warning sign may indicate an invasive BCC.
An open sore that does not heal
A shiny bump or nodule
A reddish patch or irritated area
A scar-like area that is flat white, yellow or waxy in color
A small pink growth with a slightly raised, rolled edge and a crusted indentation in the center
A basal cell carcinoma may be pigmented, like this one, on skin of color
Basal Cell Carcinoma
If you’ve already had a BCC, you have an increased chance of developing another, especially in the same sun-damaged area or nearby.
A BCC can recur even when it has been carefully removed the first time, because some cancer cells may remain undetectable after surgery and others can form roots that extend beyond what’s visible. BCCs on the nose, ears and lips are more likely to recur, usually within the first two years after surgery.
A BCC can recur even when it has been carefully removed the first time, because some cancer cells may remain undetectable after surgery and others can form roots that extend beyond what’s visible. BCCs on the nose, ears and lips are more likely to recur, usually within the first two years after surgery.
SCC of the skin can develop anywhere on the body but is most often found on exposed areas exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation like the face, lips, ears, scalp, shoulders, neck, back of the hands and forearms. SCCs can develop in scars, skin sores and other areas of skin injury. The skin around them typically shows signs of sun damage such as wrinkling, pigment changes and loss of elasticity.
SCCs can appear as thick, rough, scaly patches that may crust or bleed. They can also resemble warts, or open sores that don’t completely heal. Sometimes SCCs show up as growths that are raised at the edges with a lower area in the center that may bleed or itch.
SCCs can appear as thick, rough, scaly patches that may crust or bleed. They can also resemble warts, or open sores that don’t completely heal. Sometimes SCCs show up as growths that are raised at the edges with a lower area in the center that may bleed or itch.
A persistent, scaly red patch with irregular borders that sometimes crusts or bleeds.
An elevated growth with a central depression that occasionally bleeds. It may rapidly increase in size.
An open sore that bleeds or crusts and persists for weeks.
A wart-like growth that crusts and occasionally bleeds.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Warning Signs
SCCs can also look different from the descriptions above. If you notice anything unusual, such as a sore that fails to heal, or a new spot, make an appointment with your dermatologist.
NOTA - check your moles!
Safe, or a lurking danger? Check your mole and get the result in 20 seconds!
Safe, or a lurking danger? Check your mole and get the result in 20 seconds!
NOTA measures the impedance (resistance) of cells and gives the result. The bioimpedance method has been recognized by the FDA as a method of noninvasive (without biopsy) diagnosis of skin cancer.
NOTA does not replace a doctor, but helps to find dangerous changes as early as possible and win the most important thing - time for the treatment of the disease!
NOTA does not replace a doctor, but helps to find dangerous changes as early as possible and win the most important thing - time for the treatment of the disease!
AKs are often more easily felt than seen. Skin may feel dry and rough to the touch, or raw, sensitive and painful, or even itchy with a pricking or burning sensation. Some AKs look and feel inflamed. In rare instances, they may bleed or develop a persistent sore, also known as an ulceration. In other cases, they come and go in the same spot.
Multiple red bumps and tan crusts
Scattered thick, scaly, red patches
Actinic Keratosis Warning Signs
Detecting an actinic keratosis (AK) early gives you the opportunity to treat the lesion and prevent skin cancer before it starts. When diagnosed promptly, almost all actinic keratoses (plural) can be successfully removed. Left untreated, some AKs may progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Since MCCs can progress rapidly and become more difficult to treat, it’s crucial to understand your risks and warning signs. This AEIOU summary combines key points from both to help you with early detection.
A: ASYMPTOMATIC lesion, not painful or tender
E: Lesion is EXPANDING rapidly
I: You are IMMUNOsuppressed
O: You are OLDER than 50
U: The lesion appears on UV-exposed skin
In a study of 195 patients, 89% of MCC patients presented with three or more of the “AEIOU” characteristics.
A: ASYMPTOMATIC lesion, not painful or tender
E: Lesion is EXPANDING rapidly
I: You are IMMUNOsuppressed
O: You are OLDER than 50
U: The lesion appears on UV-exposed skin
In a study of 195 patients, 89% of MCC patients presented with three or more of the “AEIOU” characteristics.
Merkel cell carcinoma, local recurrence
Merkel cell carcinoma, primary tumor
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Diagnosis and management of Merkel cell carcinoma presents distinct challenges, including:
Misdiagnosis: 56% of MCCs are believed to be benign when initially examined by physicians, who may mistake the tumors for cysts or infected hair follicles.
Delayed medical attention: Medical care is often not sought early as these lesions do not appear concerning. About 5% of MCCs occur in mucosal sites such as the mouth, nasal cavity and throat, where these painless lesions are hard to spot before the disease has advanced.
Undetectable: In one study, 14% of MCCs were initially discovered in the lymph nodes already, without any tumor being identified.
Since MCC is a rare and aggressive cancer, delayed detection, diagnosis and treatment are especially concerning, because as the disease progresses, treatment becomes more difficult and the risk of recurrence increases.
Misdiagnosis: 56% of MCCs are believed to be benign when initially examined by physicians, who may mistake the tumors for cysts or infected hair follicles.
Delayed medical attention: Medical care is often not sought early as these lesions do not appear concerning. About 5% of MCCs occur in mucosal sites such as the mouth, nasal cavity and throat, where these painless lesions are hard to spot before the disease has advanced.
Undetectable: In one study, 14% of MCCs were initially discovered in the lymph nodes already, without any tumor being identified.
Since MCC is a rare and aggressive cancer, delayed detection, diagnosis and treatment are especially concerning, because as the disease progresses, treatment becomes more difficult and the risk of recurrence increases.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
DFSP can look like an ordinary scar, cyst or bruise. It can develop anywhere on the body but is most commonly found on the arms, legs or torso. Over time, it can grow to become a large lump under the skin. The tumor grows slowly but can penetrate deep into the dermis and infiltrate the fat and surrounding tissue.
Kaposi’s sarcoma
Kaposi’s sarcoma can present as red, purple or brown lesions on the skin, mucous membranes, lymph nodes and other organs. The lesions may be flat or slightly raised and can grow and spread rapidly.
Microcystic adnexal carcinoma
Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a very rare tumor of the skin that develops in the sweat gland, most often in the head and neck region. This type of tumor is also known as a sclerosis sweat gland carcinoma. Although MACs may occur in other parts of the body, they commonly present on sun exposed areas in the middle of the face. People ages 50 and older are most likely to develop these tumors.
Sebaceous carcinoma
The tumor may arise as a lump or thickening of the skin on the eyelid or on the face that is often painless, and sometimes oozes or bleeds. In other parts of the body, the tumor may look like a yellowish lump which sometimes bleeds.
Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD)
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma
