Skin Cancer Symptoms and Diagnosis

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To diagnose skin cancers, a small area of affected skin is removed by surgery, so it can be tested 鈥� this is known as an excision biopsy. Visit our page - 鈥�tests/investigations which may take place鈥� for more information.听听

Melanoma Skin Cancer

The ABCDE detection method can help you spot early signs of melanoma. The Melanoma UK poster shown on the right gives further description of what the following mean:

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A - asymmetric
B - borders
C - colours
D - diameter
E 鈥� evolution (growth)

Although melanoma鈥檚 most commonly develop on areas of skin which are exposed to the sun 鈥� they can develop anywhere on the body including soles of your feet, palms of your hands, eyes, or genitals.

Signs and symptoms of melanoma:

a mole which has changed size, shape or colour
a mole which is painful or itchy
a mole which is inflamed, bleeding or crusty
a new or unusual mark on your skin which stays for longer than a few weeks
a dark area under a nail, not caused by an injury.

For more information, Macmillan Cancer Support have put together the following information booklet:

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

Macmillan Cancer Support have put together the following information booklet which contains information on the following types of non-melanoma skin cancers: .

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Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCCs) can differ in appearance 鈥� most commonly they look scaly or crusty, rough, and raised. You may find they are hard to heal.

SCC can occur on any part of the skin, but they are more common on sun exposed sites such as the head, ears, lip, neck and back of the hands.

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Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) most commonly initially shows as a scab which bleeds and does not totally heal, or a new red or 鈥榩early鈥� lump which develops on your skin.

These are most commonly found on the face, especially the nose, cheeks, forehead, nasolabial folds (eg smile and laughter lines), and eyelids.

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Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC)

Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) starts in the merkel cells. These are typically found in the top layer of the skin (known as the epidermis). It usually appears as lumps on the skin which are often bluish-red in colour and measure less than 2cm across, although they can be larger. They don鈥檛 tend to be painful and the skin which covers them is typically firm and not broken.

As with most skin cancers, prolonged sunlight exposure will increase your risk of developing MCC.

For more information, NET Patient Foundation have put together the following information booklet on MCC: .

More Uncommon Skin Cancers

Uveal melanoma

Is a rare type of cancer which affects the eye tissues. It is also known as intraocular or ocular melanoma. For more information, visit the Melanoma Focus webpages for .

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Mucosal melanoma

Is another rare form of melanoma which affects the mucous membranes, the moist surfaces that line the body cavities. For more information, visit the Melanoma Focus webpages for .

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