Skin Cancer Symptoms
In general, any new or changing spots on your skin that persist for two weeks or more should be brought to your doctor’s attention. Skin cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages, though symptoms can appear at any point.
What does skin cancer feel like?
Skin cancer may not show clear physical signs at first, which can delay detection. However, some types may cause sensations like itching, tenderness, pain or a burning feeling. You might notice a spot that bleeds, crusts or doesn’t heal. Basal cell carcinoma can feel like a pearly bump or sore, while squamous cell carcinoma may be rough or scaly. Melanoma usually isn’t painful but may itch or bleed as it progresses. Since many skin cancers don’t feel different, it’s important to watch for visual changes like new or changing moles.
Early signs and symptoms
These are signs that may appear first:
- A new spot on your skin
- A change in an existing mole or spot (shape, size, or color)
- A shiny bump that’s red or skin-colored
- A rough, red patch that feels dry or scaly
- A spot that itches or hurts
Late signs and symptoms
As skin cancer gets worse, you might notice:
- A sore that doesn’t heal, or one that bleeds or forms a crust
- A raised bump with a center that bleeds or forms a scab
- A wart-like bump
- A scar-like area with no clear edge
- A mole that changes quickly or has uneven edges or colors
Skin cancer symptoms can vary depending on the type of skin cancer and its location on the skin. Below are general descriptions of the various symptoms associated with specific skin cancer types.
Basal cell carcinoma usually appears on the face, neck, arms, legs, ears and hands—areas with high sun exposure. However, it can appear in other areas as well. Signs of basal cell carcinoma include:
- Pearly or waxy bump on the skin
- Flat, rough or scar-like patch on the skin
- A sore that bleeds, doesn't fully heal or that reoccurs
Basal cell carcinoma pictures
This nodular basal cell carcinoma is ulcerated, or with an open sore. It has developed on the patient’s face, a common spot for these cancers to form.
asal cell carcinoma often develops on the head and neck area. This growth features a dome shape with a central depression and ulcer.
A nodular basal cell carcinoma on a patient’s back. This growth shows three classic elements of a nodular basal cell carcinoma: a pearly center, a “ro
A pigmented basal cell carcinoma. The shiny areas, speckled pigment and asymmetrical shape are features of this subtype.
A nodular basal cell carcinoma. This ulcerated growth looks like a cut, but it will not heal on its own.
Visit our basal cell carcinoma page for more information.
Squamous cell carcinoma also tends to develop in areas of high sun exposure. In some cases, squamous cell carcinoma can affect areas that are not exposed to sunlight. This is especially the case for people with darker skin tones. Signs of squamous cell carcinoma include:
- A firm, red nodule
- A scaly or crusty lesion with irregular borders
- A painful or itchy skin lesion
Visit our squamous cell carcinoma page for more information.
Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body and may develop out of existing moles. In people with darker skin tones, melanoma tends to occur on the palms or soles of the feet. Signs of melanoma include:
- Change in the appearance of a mole
- Development of a large brown spot, often with irregular edges
The ABCDE rule is a simple guide to help recognize the warning signs of melanoma. Here's what each letter stands for:
Asymmetry: One half of the mole or spot doesn’t match the other half in shape.
Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred.
Color: The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown, black, pink, red, white or blue.
Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can be smaller.
Evolving: The mole or spot is changing in size, shape, color or behavior (such as itching or bleeding).
Visit our melanoma page for more information.
Other conditions with similar symptoms
These symptoms usually do not mean you have skin cancer. Other conditions that share some of these symptoms include:
- Moles or freckles
- Warts
- Rashes like eczema or psoriasis
- Skin infections
- Old scars or growths that aren’t cancer
Skin cancer risk factors
Several factors may raise your chances of getting skin cancer:
- Lots of time in the sun or using tanning beds
- Fair skin, light hair, and light eyes
- Bad sunburns in the past
- A family history of skin cancer
- A weak immune system (from illness or certain medicines)
- Older age (but melanoma is also common in young adults)
- Having many moles or unusual-looking moles
When to see a doctor
Talk to a doctor if you notice:
- A new or changing spot on your skin
- A sore that doesn’t heal in two weeks
- A spot that itches, hurts or bleeds
- A mole that looks very different from others on your body
Early evaluation and diagnosis can significantly improve treatment results.
Learn more about skin cancer diagnosis
Skin cancer screening guidelines
Skin cancer screening is generally recommended for people at increased risk of developing skin cancer. Not everyone with risk factors develops skin cancer. However, if you do have one or more risk factors, discuss them with your health care provider and get regular skin cancer screenings.
During a skin cancer screening exam, your doctor will look all over your body for signs of actinic keratoses (precancers), basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. They will also look for abnormal moles that can signal melanoma.
If your dermatologist finds a suspicious mole or growth, they will determine whether it’s best to monitor it or remove it. They may take photos to aid in monitoring the lesions.
If a mole or skin growth looks suspicious, your doctor may recommend a skin biopsy to check for cancer or other conditions. During the procedure, a small sample of skin is removed—usually under local anesthesia—and sent to a lab for examination under a microscope.
Learn more about skin cancer screening.
Behavioral and lifestyle changes can help prevent skin cancer. Visit our prevention and screening section to learn how to manage your risk.
In rare cases, skin cancer can be passed down from one generation to the next. Genetic counseling may be right for you. Visit our genetic testing page to learn more.
What types of cancer can cause itchy skin?
Your skin can itch for many reasons, such as allergies, insect bites and dry skin. The itch, called pruritus, will usually go away once you treat what’s causing it. But sometimes an itch can be chronic, meaning it lasts six weeks or longer. This is known as chronic pruritus.
In rare cases, chronic pruritus can be a sign of cancer. Here, I’ll explain what types of cancers may cause itchy skin, what the itch feels like and when you should see a doctor.
What types of cancer can cause itchy skin?
Itching can be a sign of several types of blood cancers.
Lymphoma
- Cutaneous T cell lymphoma is a skin lymphoma that starts in the T lymphocytes.
- Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma both start in the lymphatic system.
Leukemia
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a rare, aggressive type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia are slow-growing types of blood cancer that mostly affect adults over age 55.
- Polycythemia vera is a chronic blood disorder in which the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. People with polycythemia vera who experience itching have a higher chance of the disease developing into myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia.
- Myelodysplastic syndrome is a group of diseases in which the bone marrow doesn’t make enough healthy blood cells. Some cases develop into acute myeloid leukemia.
Itching can also be a sign of the following cancers:
- Liver cancer
- Bile duct cancer
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Metastatic stomach cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Melanoma: Itching has been reported in 22% of primary melanoma skin lesions.
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
Where on the body does the itching occur?
Itching can occur anywhere on the body, including the scalp and genitalia. The most common sites are the lower legs and the trunk – that is, your chest, abdomen, pelvis and back.
How would you describe an itch that might indicate cancer?
There aren’t specific characteristics to look for. What I mean is the itch can be:
- Localized (affecting one area of the body) or generalized (affecting the entire body)
- Constant or intermittent
- Mild to severe
Pruritus may be an associated symptom of cancer. That means it is often an additional symptom of the cancer itself. It’s not necessarily a predictor of cancer. So, if you have itchy skin, it doesn’t mean you will develop cancer.
Itching associated with pancreatic cancer
Itching can happen when pancreatic cancer causes a blockage in the bile duct, which can also lead to jaundice. In these cases, itching tends to be generalized. But I have seen pancreatic cancer patients with intense itching only on their trunk area, or/and only on the arms and legs.
Aquagenic itch can be a sign of certain cancers
Aquagenic itch describes an itch that develops minutes after contact with water of any temperature with no visible skin rash. Aquagenic itch is commonly seen in people with polycythemia vera. Some people who have aquagenic itch develop cutaneous T cell lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome several years later.
How we classify pruritus and cancer
We divide cancer patients with pruritus into three categories:
- Patients who experienced itching before being diagnosed with cancer: A cancer diagnosis may come months to years after the itching begins.
- Patients who have an existing cancer and experience itching
- Patients who have itching indirectly related to cancer: This is usually due to the growth of a tumor affecting internal organs, such as invasive liver tumors.
Cancer treatment can cause itchy skin
Sometimes, cancer treatment can cause rashes and itchy skin. Chemotherapy, opioids, aspirin and antibiotics may cause itching.
What other conditions can cause itchy skin?
Chronic pruritus can be caused by:
- Diabetes
- Chronic kidney failure
- Liver disease
- HIV infection
- Allergic reactions to food, medicine and insect bites
- Thyroid disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Depression
- Pregnancy
Remember: there are many reasons your skin may itch. Most of the time, it is not because of cancer.
When should you see a doctor for itchy skin?
See a doctor if you have itchy skin that:
- is all over the body, especially during pregnancy,
- starts suddenly,
- lasts for several weeks or longer,
- does not improve with moisturizer use,
- is persistent in the same spot,
- disrupts your sleep or distracts from your daily routine and/or
- is associated with other symptoms, such as weight loss, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, jaundice, fatigue, cough or visible lumps.
If your doctor cannot find the reason for the itch, they may do a workup to check for other possible causes, including cancer. This workup includes a comprehensive review of your medical history and a physical examination, with particular attention to the lymph nodes. Your doctor will test your complete blood count, liver function, kidney function and thyroid function.
What else should readers know about itchy skin and cancer?
Itchy skin can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know what’s causing it. Itching can be a sign of internal disease, including cancer. We know that patients with certain cancers, namely lymphomas and leukemias, often have associated pruritus, but we have limited data indicating that itchy skin is a predictor of cancer. So, itchy skin alone does not mean you will get cancer.
See a doctor if you have persistent itchy skin and you develop other concerning symptoms. They can figure out what’s causing the symptoms and get you the proper treatment.
Ana Ciurea, M.D., is a dermatologist at MD Anderson.
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.