Basal cell carcinomas are considered the most common type of skin cancer and are slow-growing. Basal cell carcinomas typically occur on sun-exposed parts of the body such as the head and neck, but can also develop on the trunk and lower limbs. The symptoms of basal cell carcinoma are usually present as non-healing skin sores often accompanied by other features.
Abnormal Skin Bumps
Basal cell carcinomas begin in the top layer of the skin called the epidermis, states Medline Plus. Basal cell carcinoma are painless and often take the form of a bump, appearing as either pearly white or waxy, reports the Mayo Clinic. Irregular blood vessels appear around the bump area. The bump bleeds easily or repeatedly bleeds, developing a crust that oozes. Basal cell carcinomas often display the symptoms of a skin sore that doesn't heal or a sore with a depressed (sunken) area in the middle.
Abnormal Skin Patches
Basal cell carcinomas appear slightly different than normal skin, reports Medline plus. The cancer transpires as either flat, scaly, brown or flesh-colored patches. The skin may appear slightly elevated or just flat. Basal cell skin cancer occurs more frequently in individuals with light-colored skin, blond or red hair and blue or green eyes.
Scar-like Areas
A white, waxy scar-like sore indicates a type of basal cell carcinoma called morpheaform basal cell carcinoma, states the Mayo Clinic. A particularly invasive and disfiguring cancer, morpheaform basal cell carcinoma often resembles a scar and looks as if an injury occurred without having injured the area.
Report Symptoms
According to the American Cancer Society, basal cell skin cancers are usually found early during a routine cancer-related checkup from a dermatologist. The quicker basal cell carcinomas are diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome, reports the Mayo Clinic. Examine the skin regularly for abnormal growths or changes in color, size, texture and appearance. Report any concerns or suspicious areas. Basal cell skin cancers resemble a variety of marks on the skin. Promptly report any new or changing spots on the skin that includes the size, shape, or color of the area. Warning signs of skin cancer often emerge as an unusual sore, lump, blemish or marking. Basal cell carcinomas usually do not grow quickly but don't ignore the symptoms and delay treatment, warns the American Academy of Dermatology. Basal cell carcinomas rarely metastasizes (spreads). If untreated, the cancer may spread below the skin affecting the bone and nerves causing considerable damage.
