Symptoms of skin cancer can vary, depending on the type of skin cancer you have.
Some common symptoms may include:
- A new or changing mole
- Small, raised bumps on the skin that last more than a few weeks
- Itchy patches of skin
- Rough, scaly, or a reddish patch of skin
- Shiny, firm bumps on the skin
- An open sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
Speak with your doctor if you have any new or changing areas of skin. These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, many of which are not cancer. Your doctor may check for those other possible conditions as well as for skin cancer.
Diagnosis
If your healthcare provider suspects you may have skin cancer, they will order exams and tests. They will also do a physical exam and ask you questions about your health history, risk factors, symptoms and family history. Diagnostic tests may include the following:
- Full-body skin exam: Your doctor or nurse will check your skin for areas that look abnormal in color, size, shape, or texture.
- Skin biopsy: If any areas look suspicious, your doctor will remove some of the cells from this area so they can be examined under a microscope for signs of cancer.
Stages of Skin Cancer
After being diagnosed with skin cancer, our pathology and clinical teams will determine the stage of your cancer. The stage is based on the type of skin cancer you have, the tumor’s size, how deeply the cancer has grown into your skin, and if it has spread to other areas of your body. In most cases, non-melanoma skin cancer does not spread beyond the skin and is easy to treat and cure.
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