A healthcare professional will check for any lesions (abnormal skin growths) at an annual check-up or when a person has noticed an unusual skin growth. The professional will ask about: 

• When the person first noticed the skin problem
• Any changes that they noticed
• Any pain, itching, or tenderness
• Personal history of sunburns and sun exposure
• Family history of skin cancer

Sometimes a small skin sample, called a biopsy, will be taken after the area has received a local anesthetic. A pathologist (a medical doctor who specializes in body tissues and fluid), will check the sample under a microscope to find out whether abnormal cells are present. Usually, there is little scarring.

If the sample shows that there are cancer cells present, the healthcare professional may send the person for other tests.

Tumor Stages

Using the results, the dermatologist will set a “stage” for the tumor based on its:

• Size
• Spread
• Cell type and depth
• How quickly the cells are dividing

The type of cell will also decide which treatment the oncologist (cancer specialist) or dermatologist recommends.

Last Updated May 2023