How common is skin ulcer in basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma can look like a shiny bump, a pink or skin-coloured growth, or a flat scaly patch. As it breaks down, it may leave an open sore with a rolled edge, crust, or small amounts of bleeding. Some sores heal partly and then reopen in the same place.

An open sore has many possible causes, including injury, infection, pressure, and inflammatory skin disease. Appearance alone cannot confirm cancer. A clinician may examine the area with magnification and arrange a biopsy when needed.

Keep the area gently clean, protect it from rubbing, and avoid picking the crust. Take a clear photo if its appearance changes, and note when it first appeared, whether it heals and returns, and whether it bleeds without clear injury. Book a skin examination for a sore that does not heal or keeps recurring.

If basal cell carcinoma is confirmed, treatment is selected according to the site, size, borders, and type of growth. Options may include removal or a prescribed treatment applied to the skin.

Arrange prompt assessment for a sore that repeatedly bleeds, enlarges, crusts, or fails to heal. Seek urgent help for bleeding that will not stop with firm pressure, rapidly spreading redness, pus, fever, or severe pain.

Ask what features make the sore concerning, whether a biopsy is needed, how to dress it safely, and which treatment would protect nearby structures if cancer is confirmed.