Basal Cell Carcinoma Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• A sore that may crust, bleed, or ooze for three weeks without healing
• A raised, red patch that might or might not be itchy
• A shiny bump that can be pearl-like in appearance or, less often, dark in color, much like a mole
• A pink growth with a slightly raised border and dip in the middle
• A patch of skin that seems shiny and tight, much like a scar

Diagnosis

The diagnosis will probably be made by a doctor who specializes in skin care, called a dermatologist. The dermatologist will look at the skin growth and take a sample, called a biopsy, to test for cancerous cells. The doctor will then decide on a treatment plan based on the size, subtype, and location of the tumor.