Basal and squamous cell skin cancer explained

Both can appear as a sore or changing patch, but their behaviour and treatment considerations differ. Basal cell carcinoma tends to grow into nearby tissue, while squamous cell carcinoma has greater potential to spread beyond its original site.

A basal cell cancer may look pearly or shiny, resemble a scar, bleed, crust or fail to heal. A squamous cell cancer may be a firm raised area, a rough scaly patch or a persistent ulcer. Either can develop on sun-exposed skin, and skin cancer can occur in every skin tone.

Appearance alone cannot confirm the type. A clinician examines the lesion and usually removes a tissue sample, or the whole lesion, for a pathologist to identify the cells. The report also describes features that help guide further care.

Arrange assessment for a new or changing growth, a sore that does not heal, or a patch that repeatedly bleeds or crusts. Photographing it beside a ruler and noting when it changed can help the clinician understand its course, but does not replace examination.

Treatment is selected according to the cancer type, location, size, depth, pathology features, previous treatment and your health. Surgery is often considered for a local lesion. Radiotherapy may suit selected sites or circumstances, while immunotherapy can be considered for some advanced cancers that cannot be managed adequately with local treatment.

After treatment, protect skin from intense ultraviolet exposure and check the treated area and the rest of your skin. Follow the review plan and report a new lesion rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.

Seek prompt clinical review if a lesion grows quickly, becomes painful, bleeds repeatedly, develops numbness, returns in a treated area or is accompanied by a new nearby lump. Lesions around the eye, ear, nose or lip also merit timely assessment because treatment planning must protect nearby structures.

After a procedure, contact the treating team for spreading redness, increasing swelling, worsening pain, pus, fever or bleeding that does not settle with the wound-care measures you were given.

Ask which cancer type the pathology confirms, whether the edges of removed tissue are clear, and whether further treatment is advised. Discuss expected healing, the effect on function and appearance, warning signs after treatment, and who will examine your skin during follow-up.