Skin cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found on the epidermis (the outermost layers of skin) so the tumor is usually clearly visible. There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

The most common symptoms of any type of skin cancer include changes in the skin that do not heal within 4 weeks, a spot or sore that continue to itch, blood, discolored skin, and changes in existing moles such as ragged, notched or blurred edges of mole or enlargement of mole.

Signs and symptoms of Basal cell carcinoma: Basal cell carcinoma usually looks like a small, slow growing shiny pink or red lump. Sometimes small blood vessels can be seen within the tumor. They usually appear on face, scalp, ears and shoulders. If left untreated, they tend to bleed frequently. This form of skin cancer is least deadly and with proper treatment, it can be completely cured within short period of time.

Signs and symptoms Squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma is usually pink, thickened patch on sun-exposed skin. If left untreated, it tends to become crusty, ulcerate or bleed and it may develop into large mass. Squamous cell is second most common skin cancer; it is fatal but not as fatal as melanoma.

Signs and symptoms of Melanoma: Most melanomas are brown to black looking lesions with irregular border. Signs that might indicate a malignant melanoma include change in diameter, shape, color or elevation of a mole. Other signs are the appearance of a new mole during adulthood on trunk, neck or head or pain, itching, inflammation, ulceration or bleeding in existing mole.



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