If caught and treated early, skin cancer CAN be successfully treated. It can first appear as a waxy bump or a flat lesion. Squamous cell cancer is also slow-growing but it can metastasize or spread to other body parts. This type of cancer can also start as a pearly bump or a flat lesion. It may be crusted as well.
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type.
It starts as a pearly or dark bump or as a small lesion with irregular borders. About a third of the cases start in moles which suddenly change appearance or start to bleed. In general, any unusual change in the skin, especially a new growth or sore that doesn't heal, can be a warning sign of skin cancer, and should be checked promptly by your physician. When caught early, your chances for successful treatment are much higher. Since sun exposure is most commonly linked to skin cancer, people who have a history of frequent sun exposure as well as sun burns are at a higher risk of the disease.