Basal and squamous cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the two most common types of skin cancer. They usually form on skin that gets a lot of sun, like the face, ears, scalp, neck, arms and hands.

Both are highly treatable, especially when found early. Left untreated, they can grow deeper and damage surrounding tissue, and SCC can occasionally spread.

Signs and symptoms

Basal cell carcinoma

• A shiny, pearly or skin-colored bump
• A pink patch or a sore that bleeds, heals and comes back
• A scar-like area that is flat and firm

Squamous cell carcinoma

• A rough, scaly red patch
• A firm bump that may crust or bleed
• A sore that does not heal
• A growth that rises quickly with a dip in the center

How we treat it

• Biopsy to confirm the diagnosis
• Excision: removing the cancer with a margin of healthy skin, see skin cancer removal
• Electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C) for some small, low-risk cancers
• Prescription creams for some superficial cancers
• Referral for Mohs surgery when it is the best option for a cancer's size or location
• Follow-up skin checks, since having one skin cancer raises the chance of another

Where it is offered

Q&A

Related care

• Skin cancer removal
• Biopsies
• Precancerous spots (actinic keratoses)
• Skin checks and skin cancer screening
• Melanoma and high-risk follow-up