Skin Cancer Symptoms

Cancerous skin lesion is one of the most common skin cancer symptoms.

The abnormal growth of the skin cells in the tissues of the skin lead to the skin cancer.

The skin being the largest organ of the body protects it from heat, sunlight, infection and any injury.

It helps in controlling the body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D.

Before knowing the skin cancer symptoms, let us first gain some knowledge about types of skin cancer. The skin cancers are of three types the basal cell carcinoma, the squamous cell carcinoma and the melanoma.

All these types are common but the most dangerous and serious type of skin cancer is the melanoma because it invades the deeper tissues and spreads to other areas from its origin. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are slow growing and highly treatable, especially if found early.

This cancer can occur anywhere on the body. Most often develops on skin exposed to the sun such as the face, neck, hands, and arms. But this common form of cancer also can occur on areas of the skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.

Most Common Skin Cancer Symptoms or Signs of Skin Cancer

The skin cancer affects mostly the areas exposed to the sun like the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. But in some cases skin cancer is found to affect the other regions like the palms, spaces between the toes and the genital area.

The first and foremost sign or the skin cancer symptom would be a cancerous skin lesion which may appear suddenly or develop slowly. Again its appearance depends on the type of skin cancer. Each type of skin cancer has its own varied symptoms. Some of the signs or skin cancer symptoms are summarized bases on its types.

Skin Cancer Symptoms for Basal Cell Carcinoma

Accounting for nearly 90 percent of all cases Basal Cell Carcinoma is considered to be the most common skin cancer. This type of cancer is considered the most easily treated.

The chances of this type of cancer spreading are very low. This fact offers a good chance of recovery. The common basal cell carcinoma skin cancersymptoms are as follows:

  • A pearly or waxy bump on the face, ears or neck
  • A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion on the chest or back

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The squamous cell carcinoma type has some chances of spreading to the other areas unlike the basal cell carcinoma. This type also offers a good recovery rate if treated early. Most often, squamous cell carcinoma skin cancersymptoms are as follows

  • A firm, red nodule on your face, lips, ears, neck, hands or arms
  • A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface on your face, ears, neck, hands or arms

Melanoma

Unfortunately this melanoma is considered the most dangerous and serious form of skin cancer and the one responsible for most skin cancer deaths.

Moles are supposed to be watched carefully for any change or malignancy because the third type of skin cancer the melanoma can develop in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that turns malignant.

This most dangerous type is more commonly affecting the upper back or face in both men and women although can occur in any area. The melanoma skin cancer symptoms are as follows:

  • A small lesion with an irregular border and red, white, blue or blue-black spots on the trunk or limbs
  • A large brownish spot with darker speckles located anywhere on the body
  • A simple mole located anywhere on the body that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
  • Shiny, firm, dome-shaped bumps located anywhere on the body
  • Dark lesions on the palms, soles, fingertips and toes, or on mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, vagina and anus