The SkinCancer.net Image Gallery provides examples of what different types of skin cancer make look like. The gallery is not all-encompassing and should not be used for diagnostic purposes. If you are concerned about any moles, marks, or lesions on your skin or have noticed any skin changes, please discuss your concerns with your physician.
Non-Cancerous Moles
Normal mole border
The “B” in ABCDEs for detecting melanoma refers to border. This shows a normal mole with even edges that are not ragged.
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Normal mole symmetrical
The “A” in ABCDEs for detecting melanoma refers to asymmetry. This shows a normal symmetrical mole.
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Normal mole color
The “C” in ABCDEs for detecting melanoma refers to color. This shows a normal coloring (no variation in shades of brown, black, red).
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Common mole
A common mole (nevus) occurs when pigment cells (melanocytes) grow in clusters on the skin. People who have more than 50 common moles have a higher risk of developing melanoma.
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Common mole
A common mole (nevus) occurs when pigment cells (melanocytes) grow in clusters on the skin. People who have more than 50 common moles have a higher risk of developing melanoma.
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Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer — and the most common cancer overall. BCC develops in the top layer of skin, called the epidermis. BCC is most likely to develop on body parts that get the most exposure to sun: the head, the neck, and especially the nose.
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Nodular BCC
Nodular BCC looks like a dome-shaped bump. It may be pearly or shiny. Typical colors are pink, red, brown, or black. You may see tiny blood vessels in the lesion.
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Superficial BCC
Superficial BCC looks like a scaly pink or red plaque. You may see a raised, pearly white border. The lesion may ooze or become crusty. Superficial BCC is typically found on the chest, back, arms, and legs.
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Ulcerated BCC
Over time, the top layer skin may begin to break down. This is called ulceration. Ulceration causes the center of the lesion to collapse.
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Basal cell carcinoma
BCC that shows as a reddish papule (small raised pimple or swelling) can be “pearly” in color.
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) develops in the flat cells that make up the outermost layer of skin. It is a non-melanoma skin cancer and is less common than basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the other major type of non-melanoma skin cancer.
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Squamous cell carcinoma on leg
SCC has many different appearances because there are different forms of this cancer. SCC often looks like a rough, scaly red or brown patch.
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Squamous cell carcinoma on nose
SCC often looks like a rough, scaly red or brown patch. It may be thick or crusty. SCC may develop as a raised growth or lump; some look like they have collapsed in the center. SCC may also appear to be an open sore that bleeds easily and does not heal.
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Melanoma
Advanced malignant melanoma
To the left, the superficial spreading of the original nodule on the right shows the beginning of melanoma that is spreading, or advanced.
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Asymmetrical melanoma
The “A” in ABCDEs for detecting melanoma refers to asymmetry. This lesion is thinner on the right side compared to the left.
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Dysplastic nevus evolving to melanoma
The “E” in ABCDEs for detecting melanoma refers to evolution. This melanoma shows a change in the mole that was originally diagnosed as dysplactic nevi (atypical noncancerous moles).
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Melanoma color difference
The “C” in ABCDEs for detecting melanoma refers to color. This melanoma shows different shades of brown, black, or tan.
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Melanoma diameter change
The “D” in ABCDEs for detecing melanoma refers to diameter. This melanoma shows a change in size.
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Melanoma uneven border
The “B” in ABCDEs for detecting melanoma refers to border. This melanoma shows a border that is uneven or ragged.
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Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of cancer that develops from melanocytes, the cells that give skin a tan or brown color. There are about 87,000 cases of melanoma each year.
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Melanoma uneven border, brown lesion
This melanoma shows asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, and large diameter (ABCDEs).
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Melanoma on foot
On the palms and soles, melanoma may look like a dark bruise with an irregular border and mix of colors.
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Melanoma red and brown lesion
This melanoma shows asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, and large diameter (ABCDEs).
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Malignant melanoma
Malignant (cancerous) melanoma shows asymmetry, irregular border, and red, brown, and black color variation (ABCDEs).
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Malignant melanoma with halo
Malignant (cancerous) melanoma shows halo effect (depigmentation) around the small raised bump. Halo effects can also be seen surrounding a noncancerous mole.
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Metastatic melanoma
Once melanoma has grown into the dermis (skin), it can enter the lymph vessels and spread to other parts of the body.
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Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma
MCC usually is a painless red or purplish dome-shaped lump. Sometimes, the lesion is pink, blue, or the color of normal skin.
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Kaposi Sarcoma
Kaposi sarcoma
KS lesions may be flat (patches or macules), raised (plaques or papules), or bumpy (nodules). They are usually red, purple, or brown. Early on, these lesions are typically painless. However, they may develop painful sores (ulceration).
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Kaposi sarcoma before Interferon treatment
KS before Interferon treatment, which is a type of immunotherapy.
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Kaposi sarcoma after Interferon treatment
KS after Interferon treatment, which is a type of immunotherapy.
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Kaposi sarcoma in mouth
A virus called “Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus” (abbreviated: KSHV) causes KS. Not everyone infected with KSHV develops KS. Tumors can appear on the skin, mouth, and internal organs. These tumors are called lesions.
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Kaposi sarcoma on arm
A virus called “Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus” (abbreviated: KSHV) causes KS. Not everyone infected with KSHV develops KS. Tumors can appear on the skin, mouth, and internal organs. These tumors are called lesions.
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Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery
Mohs surgery removes the skin cancer one layer at a time until there are no more layers with the cancer cells.
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