What Does Early Stage Skin Cancer Look Like?

Early Symptoms of Skin Cancer – How to Detect & Seek Treatment

Skin cancer is a serious health concern that can spread rapidly to nearby tissues or even other parts of the body, leading to severe complications. Catching it early greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and recovery. In this post, we’ll focus on how skin cancer typically appears in its early stages, helping you recognise potential warning signs.

Early detection can make a big difference, so it is important to know what to look for and seek medical attention promptly. Scroll down to learn more about identifying early-stage skin cancer and taking timely action!

What Does the Early Stages of Skin Cancer Look Like?

Medical professionals classify the early stages of skin cancer based on the type and spread within your body’s largest organ — the skin. The three most common types identified are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.

Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Doctors typically stage these two common forms of skin cancer from 0 to 4 to guide treatment planning. Here, we focus on the earliest stages:

Stage 0: 

• Known as "precancerous lesions," this stage involves abnormal cell growth that hasn’t yet turned into full-blown cancer. In BCC, you might notice a red, pink, or pale patch of skin that feels scaly and doesn't heal easily. Sometimes, it may appear as a shiny, pink or red pearly bump that could bleed after minor injuries.
• For SCC, early signs often include a reddish or brownish patch or a wart-like growth. These lesions develop slowly and are most common in sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, ears, lips, and shoulders.

Stage 1: 

• At this point, abnormal cells have formed a tumour that is 2 centimetres (cm) or smaller. It marks the official start of cancer development in the skin.
• As the disease progresses to Stage 2 and beyond, tumours grow larger, typically ranging from 2 to 4 cm, and may start invading deeper skin layers or nearby tissues.

Signs and Symptoms of BCC:

A person with basal cell carcinoma may be found with skin changes including:

• A bump that looks shiny and has skin colour, pink, red, white, or different shades of brown and black. In some cases, it looks just like a mole.
• An open sore that stays for a long time. Sometimes, they heal but regenerate again.
• A rough patch of skin that may develop itchiness and pain
• A growth almost close to the ear

Signs and Symptoms of SCC:

A person with squamous cell carcinoma may appear with skin changes including:

• Pink or red-coloured wart-like cell growths
• Persistent, red patches on skin with roughness. Sometimes, they generate irregular borders around them and may bleed or crust after an injury.
• Long-lasting open sores, with or without edges
• Flat spots, which are brown (in general), are primarily considered age spots.
• An abnormal mass of tissue with a dip in the centre raises the chances of bleeding.

Melanoma

Healthcare professionals consider melanoma to be the most dangerous type of skin cancer. In general, it develops as a new mole or makes changes in the pre-existing mole.

Stages of Melanoma

Melanoma also has stages 0 to 4, while the early stages are discussed here only.

Stage 0: 

• At this stage, known as melanoma in situ, the tumour is visible but has not affected the outermost layer of skin. There may be a new mole or changes in appearance in the existing mole.

Stage 1:

In stage 1, the disease has spread into the deeper layer of the skin called the dermis.

At stage 2, it starts spreading faster than before and affects deeper skin tissues. Doctors use the ABCDE rule to identify melanoma:

• Asymmetry:One portion of the mole doesn’t look similar to the other.
• Border: You find irregularity at the edges.
• Colour:In most cases, the mole appears in shades like tan, brown, or black.
• Diameter:When the mole is larger than a pencil eraser, it is classified as melanoma.
• Evolving: when the mole evolves with time in shape, size, shape, or colour.

When you observe any of the above-mentioned signs, seek a dermatologist's assistance as soon as possible. First, note every minor change in your skin. From any new mole or bump growth to sores that don't heal and moles that keep evolving, write down everything. After that, contact a certified dermatologist for a complete examination.