Melanoma is the most serious type of all skin cancers due to its tendency to spread to internal organs. One common early warning sign of melanoma is a mole that has changed shape. Since skin cancer can affect anyone, all people should get into the habit of checking their skin for irregularities using the ABCDE method.
One half of the mole or spot on the skin appears markedly different than the other half.
The border of the mole or spot is poorly defined or appears irregular.
The spot on the skin displays more than one color. Black, brown, tan, red, white, and blue are all common skin cancer colors.
Most melanomas are at least the size of a pencil eraser when diagnosed, but can be smaller. A spot that changes in size is always cause for concern.
One spot looks considerably different than other spots or has changed in color, shape, or size over time.
One half of the mole or spot on the skin appears markedly different than the other half.
The border of the mole or spot is poorly defined or appears irregular.
The spot on the skin displays more than one color. Black, brown, tan, red, white, and blue are all common skin cancer colors.
Most melanomas are at least the size of a pencil eraser when diagnosed, but can be smaller. A spot that changes in size is always cause for concern.
One spot looks considerably different than other spots or has changed in color, shape, or size over time.
As the most common type of skin cancer, BCC is rarely fatal. The key is to remove it from the outer layer of skin where it has developed to avoid it penetrating into bones or nerves and causing permanent damage. The most common areas of the body for BCC to develop include:
BCCs typically develops after years of sun exposure and are most common in people with fair skin. Unlike melanomas that typically start as moles, BCCs usually appear as a pinkish patch of skin, a bump resembling a pearl, or a round growth that is fleshy in color.
SCCs are the second most common type of skin cancer and can develop from an existing precancerous growth known as actinic keratosis. Like BCCs, untreated SCCs can grow deep into the bones and nerves and cause pain and disfigurement. Another similarity is that they typically develop in light-skinned people in the same areas of the body.
SCCs differ in appearance from BCCs, and dermatologists often recognize them as a slow-healing wound that reopens. They might also diagnose SCCs after noticing a scaly patch on the skin or a firm red bump.
Although the skin cancers described above are the most common, other types do exist. These include:
Please contact Anne Arundel Dermatology with additional questions or to schedule a skin check if you have any concerns about skin cancer.
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