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Dr. Chrysoula I. Liakou MD, PhD
- Treated online: Assessment online. A doctor can judge how a spot looks and how urgently it needs checking; diagnosis and treatment happen in person.
- What it is: the most common skin cancer. It grows slowly in the skin where it starts, and it very rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
- Warning signs: a growth that is getting bigger or changing, or a spot that hurts, itches, bleeds, crusts or scabs for more than 4 weeks.
- Outlook: it can usually be treated effectively, most often by removing it, and the earlier it is treated the smaller the treatment.
- Emergency: basal cell carcinoma is not an emergency, but call 112 for bleeding from a growth or a wound that does not stop with firm pressure.
A video consultation suits a spot you are worried about, questions about a diagnosis you already have, and aftercare. It cannot confirm or rule out skin cancer. Bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure needs 112, and a wound that is hot, swollen and oozing pus with a fever needs prompt in-person care.
Can an online doctor diagnose basal cell carcinoma?
No. Basal cell carcinoma cannot be diagnosed, or safely ruled out, from a photo or video. The diagnosis is made by a doctor who examines the spot in person, usually with a magnifying light called a dermatoscope, and it is often confirmed with a small skin sample. What a doctor by video can do is look at the spot, weigh your risk, tell you how quickly it should be checked in person, and provide a referral letter when one is needed. After diagnosis, the doctor can answer questions about the treatment plan and help with healing.
How an online consultation helps with a worrying skin spot
- The right speed: A clear answer on whether the spot needs checking soon, or whether watching it with photos is reasonable.
- The right place: Who should examine it, and what to bring: your photos, how long it has been there, and your history.
- Your questions answered: After a diagnosis, what the treatment involves, and what the specialist’s plan means for you.
- Healing and prevention: Wound care after removal, signs of infection, and how to protect your skin from now on.
What the doctor checks in an online skin spot assessment
The assessment is built around the features that decide how soon a spot needs in-person examination. The doctor asks about:
- The spot: how long it has been there, whether it is growing, and whether it bleeds, crusts, heals and then breaks down again.
- How it looks: pearly or shiny, a flat scaly patch, a scar-like area, or a sore that will not close.
- Where it is: the face, ears and scalp, or the body, arms and legs.
- Your skin and sun history: fair skin, sunburn, sunbeds, outdoor work and years spent in strong sun.
- Earlier skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, other skin cancers or precancerous patches treated in the past.
- Your health: a weakened immune system, an organ transplant, radiotherapy to the area, and the medicines you take.
Before the call, take sharp photos in daylight, one close up and one from further away, with a coin or ruler beside the spot to show its size. Dated photos taken weeks apart show change better than anything else.
What does basal cell carcinoma look like?
The main sign of skin cancer is a growth or unusual patch on the skin. It most often appears on skin that sees the sun: the head, face, ears, neck, shoulders, back, hands and lower legs. Basal cell carcinoma usually grows slowly, over months or years, and it can look different from person to person:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| Type | How it often looks | Where it is common |
|---|---|---|
| Nodular | A shiny or pearly lump with a smooth surface, often with small visible blood vessels; it may break down into a sore in the middle | The face, the most common type there |
| Superficial | A slightly scaly, flat, pink or red patch with a thin, shiny edge, easy to mistake for eczema or psoriasis | The upper body and shoulders, often in younger adults |
| Morphoeic (sclerosing) | A waxy, scar-like patch with a blurred edge; it can reach further under the skin than it looks | The middle of the face |
Early on, it is often a small, shiny, skin-coloured or pink bump that may bleed and scab over. A spot that bleeds, scabs, seems to heal and then opens again is a typical story. On brown or black skin, about half of basal cell carcinomas are pigmented: tan, brown or black, often a glossy bump with a rolled edge, which can be mistaken for a normal mole. The small blood vessels are harder to see.
When to get a spot checked
- a new growth that looks like a mole, a bump or a scab
- a growth on your skin that is getting bigger, or has changed colour or texture
- a growth or area of skin that hurts, itches, bleeds, crusts or scabs for more than 4 weeks
- a sore that does not heal, or a rough patch that does not go away
- a mole or freckle that gets bigger or changes colour
A lump under the skin rather than on it is covered on the lump under the skin page.
Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma?
Skin cancer falls into two groups: non-melanoma skin cancer, mainly basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which start in the top layer of the skin, and melanoma, which starts in the pigment cells. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer: people with white skin have a lifetime risk of about 30%.
Swipe sideways to compare →
| Type | How it often looks | How it behaves |
|---|---|---|
| Basal cell carcinoma | A shiny or pearly bump, a flat scaly pink patch, a waxy scar-like area, or a sore that bleeds and does not heal | Grows slowly, over months or years; spreads in fewer than 1% of patients |
| Squamous cell carcinoma | A growing scaly or crusted lump, often tender, that may break down into a sore, mostly on the face, lips, ears, hands, forearms and lower legs | Grows over weeks to months; can spread, most often to the lymph nodes nearby |
| Melanoma | A new or changing mole: bigger, a different shape or colour, uneven colour or an irregular border | The most dangerous type, because it is more likely to spread |
Squamous cell carcinoma often grows out of a patch of actinic keratosis, and a sore, crusted lump that is growing over weeks needs checking promptly.
Is basal cell carcinoma dangerous?
Basal cell carcinoma is a cancer, but it rarely threatens life. It grows slowly and stays in the skin where it starts: it spreads to other parts of the body in fewer than 1% of patients, mainly with large tumours on the head and neck left untreated for a long time or that keep coming back. Studies have found no significant difference in the risk of death from any cause for people who have had one.
Left alone, it slowly grows into the skin, tissue and even bone around it, which is why it was once called a rodent ulcer. On the face, near the eyes, nose, lips or ears, a larger tumour means a bigger operation. Treatment is usually very effective, and finding it early keeps the treatment small.
How quickly should a basal cell carcinoma be removed?
There is no fixed deadline, because most grow slowly, but it should be treated without unnecessary delay: the longer it is left, the bigger the operation and the more likely it is to come back. A doctor by video can tell you how soon your spot should be seen in person.
What causes basal cell carcinoma, and who gets it?
Ultraviolet light from the sun, and from sunbeds, damages skin cells over many years, and basal cell carcinoma usually appears on sun-damaged skin, most often on the head and neck. Older men are affected most often, but women and younger adults get it too, and it is becoming more common in people in their 20s and 30s. Rates are rising across Europe: in Sweden, the yearly rate rose from 308 to 405 per 100,000 people between 2004 and 2017. It is more likely with:
- fair skin that burns easily, light eyes, and red or blond hair
- repeated or severe sunburn, a lot of sun exposure over the years, and living in a sunny place or at high altitude
- a basal cell carcinoma or another skin cancer in the past, or a family history of skin cancer
- a weakened immune system, for example after an organ transplant
- earlier radiotherapy, skin injuries or burns in the area
- some medicines, such as hydrochlorothiazide, and some rare inherited conditions, such as Gorlin syndrome
- long-term exposure to arsenic, for example from contaminated well water or at work
People who have had one basal cell carcinoma often develop more over time, which is why regular skin checks continue after treatment.
How basal cell carcinoma is diagnosed
A doctor examines the spot in person, usually with a dermatoscope, a hand-held magnifier with a light that shows patterns and blood vessels the eye cannot see. When it looks like basal cell carcinoma, a small sample is often taken under local anaesthetic, or the whole spot is removed, and checked under a microscope. This confirms the diagnosis and the type, which guides treatment.
Which basal cell carcinoma treatment might be used?
The specialist chooses the treatment by the type, size and site of the basal cell carcinoma, and by your health. This is how the main options are used, in line with NHS and dermatology guidance:
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| What you have | Usual treatment | Suitable for online care? | When in-person care is needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| A spot you are worried about | An in-person skin check, often with a biopsy | Yes, to judge how soon | For the examination itself |
| Nodular, morphoeic or infiltrative basal cell carcinoma | Surgery to cut it out with a margin of healthy skin | For questions and aftercare | For the operation |
| On the face, recurrent or with an unclear edge | Mohs surgery, removed layer by layer under the microscope | For questions and aftercare | For the operation |
| Small and well defined, on the body or limbs | Scraping and cautery (curettage), or freezing | For aftercare | For the procedure |
| Small superficial basal cell carcinoma | A cream such as imiquimod, or photodynamic therapy | For side effects, once the plan is made | To confirm the type first |
| Surgery not suitable | Radiotherapy | For questions | For treatment |
How well the treatments work, according to the European guideline: within 5 years of surgery, fewer than 1% to 8% come back, depending on the technique. For small superficial basal cell carcinomas, 80.5% were still clear 5 years after imiquimod cream, about 70% after fluorouracil cream and 62.7% after photodynamic therapy. After radiotherapy, about 3.5% come back.
Worried about a spot that will not heal? A doctor can look at it by video and tell you how soon it should be seen in person.
See available times →Treatment options for basal cell carcinoma
What you can do yourself
- Have a spot checked if it is growing or changing, or has not healed after 4 weeks.
- Photograph it every few weeks in the same light, with a ruler beside it, so change is easy to see.
- Protect the area from the sun while you wait to be seen.
- Leave it alone: picking or covering it with strong creams makes it harder to assess.
Prescription treatment
A prescription is never issued without a consultation. Most basal cell carcinomas are removed by surgery. Creams such as imiquimod or fluorouracil are used only for small superficial basal cell carcinomas, once the type has been confirmed in person, and the specialist who confirms it plans the treatment. Fluorouracil cream has a higher chance of the cancer coming back than surgery. A doctor by video can explain the plan, help you manage the redness and soreness these creams cause, and check healing afterwards. Large or advanced tumours are treated by specialist teams, sometimes with targeted medicines.
What does not help
Waiting for a sore that has lasted more than 4 weeks to heal by itself, or treating it with creams meant for spots, cold sores or eczema, only delays the diagnosis. Sunbeds and further sunburn add to the damage that causes basal cell carcinoma.
After treatment: checks and protecting your skin
Treatment is followed by check-ups to look for the cancer coming back and for new ones, every 3 to 12 months depending on the risk. A basal cell carcinoma is more likely to come back after incomplete removal, with the more aggressive types, and on the head and neck. About half of people develop another basal cell carcinoma within 3 years, so long-term yearly skin checks are advised.
- Check your whole skin about once a month, including the scalp, ears, back and lower legs, with a mirror or a partner’s help.
- Contact your specialist about any new or changing spot, without waiting for the next appointment.
- Avoid sunburn: seek shade in the middle of the day, wear a hat and clothing that covers the skin, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin.
- Avoid sunbeds completely.
For people who have had several basal cell carcinomas, a vitamin B3 supplement called nicotinamide may reduce the number of new ones. Ask your specialist whether it suits you.
Special situations
On the face
Spots near the eyes, nose, lips and ears are best treated early, while they are small. They are often treated with Mohs surgery, which removes the cancer while keeping as much healthy skin as possible.
A weakened immune system
After an organ transplant or with other causes of a weakened immune system, skin cancers are more common. Regular skin checks with your specialist team matter, and any new spot should be reported promptly.
Brown or black skin
Skin cancer is less common on darker skin, but it does happen, often in places that get little sun, such as the palms, the genitals and under the nails. The same warning signs apply: a spot that grows, changes or will not heal.
Several spots at a young age
Many basal cell carcinomas in a young person can point to an inherited condition, such as Gorlin syndrome, which needs specialist care.
Children
Mobi Doctor consultations are for adults aged 18 and over. A child who is unwell needs a paediatrician or a local doctor in person, and emergency signs in a child mean 112.
When basal cell carcinoma is assessed online, and when you need in-person care
Assessed online: a spot you are worried about, how quickly it needs checking and by whom, questions about a diagnosis or a treatment plan, side effects of a prescribed cream, healing after removal, and sun protection.
In-person care: the examination and biopsy that confirm the diagnosis, every treatment, from surgery to radiotherapy, follow-up skin checks, and a wound that looks infected.
When to get in-person care
Call 112 or go to an emergency department now for:
- bleeding from a growth or a surgical wound that does not stop with firm pressure
- a red, hot, spreading area around a wound with a high temperature and feeling very unwell
Get medical advice the same day for:
- a wound that is red, hot, swollen or oozing pus after removal of a skin cancer
- a growth that keeps bleeding
How Mobi Doctor works
- Book a time that suits you: daily 7am–11pm CEST. You can see a doctor over video, usually within 15 minutes. No subscription, and the exact price is shown before you pay.
- Speak to a licensed doctor about the spot: show it on camera in good light, share your photos, and say how long it has been there and how it has changed.
- Leave with a plan: what to do, what to take and for how long, and which signs mean you should be seen in person. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
No sign-up needed
Not sure it’s basal cell carcinoma? Tick every symptom you have to see each condition page that mentions it. It finds the right page, not a diagnosis: a doctor gives you that on a video call.
Tap the body — an area or a point — to browse symptoms anywhere
Similar symptoms, different condition? Melanoma can start the same way. Compare them, or look up any other symptom in the full symptom checker.
Frequently asked questions about basal cell carcinoma
What is basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma, or BCC, is the most common type of skin cancer. It grows slowly in the skin where it starts, usually on skin that has had a lot of sun, and it very rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
What does basal cell carcinoma look like?
Basal cell carcinoma is often a shiny or pearly lump with small blood vessels, a flat scaly pink patch, or a sore that bleeds, scabs and does not heal. It can also look like a waxy scar. On brown or black skin, about half are tan, brown or black and can look like a mole.
Is it basal cell carcinoma or something else?
Basal cell carcinoma is usually a slow-growing pearly or translucent lump, a flat scaly pink patch or a sore that heals and reopens, on sun-exposed skin. Squamous cell carcinoma grows faster, is thicker, scaly and tender, and can bleed. Melanoma is usually a changing mole, with uneven colour and an irregular edge. A sebaceous gland overgrowth is a soft yellowish bump with a dip in the middle. Only an in-person check, usually with a biopsy, tells them apart for certain.
What are the warning signs of skin cancer?
The warning signs of skin cancer are a new growth that looks like a mole, bump or scab, a growth that gets bigger or changes colour or texture, a sore that does not heal, a mole or freckle that changes, and a spot that hurts, itches, bleeds, crusts or scabs for more than 4 weeks.
Is basal cell carcinoma serious?
Basal cell carcinoma is a cancer and needs treatment, but it rarely threatens life because it spreads in fewer than 1% of patients. Left alone, it slowly damages the skin and tissue around it, so early treatment keeps the operation small.
Can you die from skin cancer?
Rarely from basal cell carcinoma: studies have found no significant difference in the risk of death from any cause for people who have had one. Melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer because it is more likely to spread, and squamous cell carcinoma can spread too, so changing spots need checking.
Does skin cancer itch or hurt?
It can. Basal cell carcinomas may itch, ooze, crust or bleed, and squamous cell carcinomas are often tender. Itching or pain around a growth is a warning sign, and a spot that hurts or itches for more than 4 weeks should be checked.
How quickly should a basal cell carcinoma be removed?
There is no fixed deadline because most basal cell carcinomas grow slowly, but it should be treated without unnecessary delay. The longer it is left, the bigger it grows, the bigger the operation and the more likely it is to come back, especially on the face.
Can an online doctor diagnose basal cell carcinoma?
No. Basal cell carcinoma cannot be diagnosed or ruled out from a photo or video. A doctor by video can judge how suspicious a spot looks, tell you how quickly it should be checked in person, and provide a referral letter when one is needed.
What can I do at home while waiting for a basal cell carcinoma check?
Photograph the spot next to a ruler so change can be judged, keep it clean and covered with a plain dressing if it bleeds or weeps, do not pick it or try creams on it, protect it and the rest of your skin from the sun, and check your whole body for other new or changing spots. None of this treats basal cell carcinoma, which needs in-person removal, but it keeps the check useful.
How is basal cell carcinoma treated?
Most basal cell carcinomas are removed by surgery, and most are cured. Small superficial types, once confirmed in person, can be treated with freezing, scraping, imiquimod or fluorouracil cream, or light treatment, and radiotherapy is used when surgery is not suitable.
Can basal cell carcinoma come back?
Yes. Basal cell carcinoma can come back where it was treated, and about half of people develop a new one within 3 years. Yearly skin checks and monthly self-checks help catch new spots early.
How long does basal cell carcinoma take to grow, and what is the outlook?
Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly, often over months or years, and many people notice a spot that has been there for a year or more before it is checked. The outlook is very good: surgery cures most, fewer than 1% spread, and the main risk is a new one, which about half of people develop within 3 years, so follow-up skin checks matter.
How can I prevent basal cell carcinoma?
Avoid sunburn, seek shade in the middle of the day, cover up with a hat and clothing, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin all year, and never use sunbeds; most basal cell carcinomas come from sun damage built up over decades, so protection in your 20s and 30s pays off later, and a yearly skin check catches a new one early.
- Basal cell carcinoma, DermNet, New Zealand, last reviewed August 2025.
- Non-melanoma skin cancer: symptoms, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 16 September 2026.
- Non-melanoma skin cancer: treatment, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 16 September 2026.
- European consensus-based interdisciplinary guideline for diagnosis and treatment of basal cell carcinoma: update 2023, Peris K et al., European Journal of Cancer, 2023.
- Basal cell carcinoma: symptoms and causes, Mayo Clinic, updated 19 September 2025.
- Skin cancer: symptoms and causes, Mayo Clinic, updated 24 December 2025.
- Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, DermNet, New Zealand, updated December 2015.
- Basal cell carcinoma, Skin Cancer Foundation, updated March 2026.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Guideline links are provided for transparency; treatment decisions are made with your doctor.
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