Skin Cancer Images

The SkinCancer.net Image Gallery provides examples of what different types of skin cancer might 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's sarcoma before Interferon treatment

Kaposi's sarcoma after Interferon treatment

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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