What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Skin Cancer?

Describing features of the mole

A method of describing the mole or lesion during physical examination and under a microscope.

A clinical presentation describing the structure/shape, size, border, colour, and texture.

Understanding the difference between a papule and a macule.

Clinical presentation and examples of skin conditions where papules and macule arises.

The various forms of lesions and how it impacts the epidermal-dermal layer

The descriptive features of the papule, pustule, and nodule

A clinical presentation on the different forms of pimples

Examination Of Non-Melanoma

The ABCDE Checklist

Signs Of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Microscopic examination of the various subtypes of basal cell carcinoma

Signs Of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Microscopic examination of squamous cell carcinoma lesions

Comparative visual examination of the major types of non-melanoma with melanoma

A clinical presentation of key signs of squamous cell carcinoma

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

The location of Merkel cells in the epidermis where the carcinoma arises

A clinical presentation of Merkel Cell Carcinoma

A microscopic examination of Merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cells are in the basal layer of the epidermis. Tumour arises in the dermis and can extend into the subcutaneous tissue (fat). There are hyperchromatic nuclei surrounded by a scant cytoplasmic space. The nuclei have a smudged chromatin pattern. Many cells are dividing (mitosis) to grow. There are also cells that are dead (apoptosis). The cells appear as sheets or cords.

Kaposi’s Sarcoma

An illustration of the key stages involved in the development of Kaposi Sarcoma

The various signs of Kaposi Sarcoma, other than the mole.

A clinical presentation of Kaposi Sarcoma

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

The differentiation of the white blood cells (lymphocytes)

The key stages involved in the development of Mycosis Fungoides

A microscopic examination of a Sezary cell.

A closer examination of the features presented in the Sezary cell.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

Microscopic examination of Sebaceous carcinoma

Clinical examination of the sebaceous carcinoma present on the eyelid

Distinguishable features of the subtypes of non-melanoma

Atypical Fibroxanthoma

A microscopic examination of key features of Atypical fibroxanthoma

Examination Of Malignant Melanoma

An overview of the characteristic structures of malignant melanoma

Superficial Spreading Melanoma

Nodular Melanoma

Lentigo Malignant Melanoma

The key stages involved in Lentigo malignant melanoma development

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma

The ABCDE checklist for Acral Lentiginous Melanoma

An overview of the signs of the main types of Melanoma discussed.

An alternative summative diagram of the clinical presentations of the main types of melanoma.

Desmoplastic melanoma

A microscopic section presenting the Superficial nests and spindle cells entering the structure of the dermis.

The microscopic examination presented spindle cells, proliferation of atypical melanocytes, and thick collagenous dermal stroma.

A clinical presentation of the large, inflamed lesion suspected of Desmoplastic melanoma

Mucosal Melanoma

An example of a neoplasm shaped with plasmatocytoid structure

A highly pigmented lesion with nest structures suspected for mucosal melanoma

A clinical presentation of the mucosal melanoma in the mouth,

Uveal Melanoma

An alternative diagram illustrating the different parts of the eye and where malignant melanoma tends to arise.

A schematic diagram presenting the structure of the eye, the risk factors, and symptoms of Uveal melanoma

A clinical presentation of uveal melanoma

A microscopic examination presents a pigmented layer of the double-membraned layer of the iris epithelium.

Naevoid melanoma

The table below presents the major types of Naevoid melanoma

A clinical presentation of the Naevoid melanoma

The various patterns of nevus: junctional nevus, congenital nevus, Spitz nevus, and Blue nevus.

Blue Nevi Melanoma

The clinical presentation of the blue nevus

Satellite lesions. A) There are eight blue-black satellite lesions with a size up to 2mm on the forehead. The lesions surround a linear scar (10 x 2mm). B) A larger magnification of the satellite lesions (Kneitz *et al.*, 2022).

A clinical presentation and microscopic examination of cellular blue nevus and the dermal dendritic melanocytes.

Spitzoid Melanoma

A clinical presentation of a red-pink round Spitz naevus

A brown dotted reticular pattern with aggregated nests of melanocytes suspected of Spitz Naevus

Distinguishable features of Spitz naevus, MELTUMP, and Spitzoid melanoma

Distinguishable features of Spitz naevi and Spitz melanomas (Bartenstein *et al.,* 2018)

Recommended Sources

Spotting Cancer: Skin Cancer Guide

Skin Cancer Booklet Download

References

Abdulameer, S. and Mantilla, J. (2023) Soft Tissue Vascular Intermediate (locally aggressive / rarely metastasizing) Kaposi sarcoma. Available at: https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/softtissuekaposi.html (Accessed: 9^th February 2026)

Alani, A.M., Desar, S., Torres-Cabala, C. (2023) Skin melanocytic tumor, blue nevi, dermal melanocytoses and associated neoplasms, blue nevus / cellular blue nevus. Available at: https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/skintumormelanocyticbluenevus.html (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Barnhill, R. and Kim, J. (2026) Spitz nevus, atypical Spitz tumor (Spitz melanocytoma), and Spitz melanoma. Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/spitz-nevus-atypical-spitz-tumor-spitz-melanocytoma-and-spitz-melanoma (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Bartenstein, D.W., Fisher, J.M., Stamoulis, C., Weldon, C., Huang, J.T., Gellis, S.E., Liang, M.G., Schmidt, B., and Hawryluk, E.B. (2018). Clinical features and outcomes of spitzoid proliferations in children and adolescents. British Journal of Dermatology, 181(2), pp.366–372. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.17450.

Biology Insights (2025a) Nevoid Melanoma: What It Is, Appearance, and Treatment. Available at: https://biologyinsights.com/nevoid-melanoma-what-it-is-appearance-and-treatment/ (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

‌Biology Insights (2025b) Melanophages: Their Role in Pigmentation and Skin Health. Available at: https://biologyinsights.com/melanophages-their-role-in-pigmentation-and-skin-health/ (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Cambridge University Hospitals (2026) Skin cancer. Available at: https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/our-services/cancer-services/cancer-and-types-of-treatment/cancer-types-a-z/skin-cancer/ (Accessed: 5th February 2026)

Cleveland Clinic (2022a)‌ Sebaceous Carcinoma Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24087-sebaceous-carcinoman (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Cleveland Clinic (2022b) Spitzoid Melanoma. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24153-spitzoid-melanoma (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Cleveland Clinic (2023) Mucosal Melanoma. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24643-mucosal-melanoma (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Durden, F. (2023).Desmoplastic melanoma. Available at: https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/melanoma/types/desmoplastic-melanoma (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Fahrner, L. (2022). Melanoma arising from Blue Nevus. Available at: https://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/melanoma-arising-blue-nevus (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Kalmukykova, A. and McKee, P. (2021) Skin nonmelanocytic tumor Carcinoma (nonadnexal) Basal cell carcinoma. Available at: https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/skintumornonmelanocyticbcc.html (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Kneitz, H., Rose, C., Glutsch, V., and Goebeler, M. (2022). Recurrence of a Cellular Blue Nevus with Satellitosis: A Diagnostic Pitfall with Clinical Consequences. Dermatopathology (Basel, Switzerland), [online] 9(4), pp.361–367. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/dermatopathology9040042.

‌Madhumita, M. and Bhat, R. (2020). Pautrier’s microabscess: An eponym by mistake. Indian Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprology, 86(6), pp.747–747. doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijdvl.ijdvl_1100_19.

Mahon, C. (2023). Acral lentiginous melanoma. Available at: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/acral-lentiginous-melanoma (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Morgan, J. (202.. Kaposi sarcoma. Available at: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/kaposi-sarcoma (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

National Health Service (2023). Symptoms -Melanoma skin cancer. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/symptoms/ (Accessed: 9^th February 2026)

Roky, A.H., Islam, M.M., Fuad, M., Mostaq, M.S., Mahmud, M.Z. Amin, M.N., and Mahmud, M.A. (2024). Overview of skin cancer types and prevalence rates across continents. Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapy, 3(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpt.2024.08.002.

Swali, R., Limmer, A., and Tyring, S.K. (2020). Kaposi Sarcoma of the Medial Foot in an MSM, HIV-Negative Man: A Fifth Clinical Variant. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 13(10), pp.42–44.

Tidy, C. (202.. Basal cell carcinoma. Available at: https://patient.info/doctor/dermatology/basal-cell-carcinoma (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Ting, S. (2025). Blue naevus. Available at: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/blue-naevus (Accessed: 10^th February 2026)

Tourlaki, A., Nazzaro, G., Wei, Y., Stefano Buffon, Mattioli, M.A., Marzano, A.V. e Brambilla, L. (2022). Clinical, Dermoscopic, Ultrasonographic, and Histopathologic Correlations in Kaposi’s Sarcoma Lesions and Their Differential Diagnoses: A Single-Center Prospective Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(1), pp.278–278. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12010278.

Updated February 2026 Next Review May 2028

The Farah Saeed Project

Skin Cancer Awareness Month