BCC 1

BCC 2

BCC 3

BCC 4

BCC 5

BCC 6

SCC 1

SCC 2

Dysplastic Naevus 1

Dysplastic Naevus 2

Papular Angio Keratoma

Metastatic Melanoma

Malignant Melanoma 1

Malignant Melanoma 2

Malignant Melanoma 3

Diagnosis

This section is designed to illustrate the quality of photographs available to the doctor during diagnosis. However these images are shown here at approximately 1/10 their size as seen on our computer screen.

Following are examples of the common skin cancers, highlighting the benefits of using high quality images during diagnosis.

1. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

BCCs represent approximately 80% of all skin cancers. These are normally removed via surgical excision, and of all skin cancers they are generally the easiest to successfully treat.

These lesions usually grow slowly over months or years. They are found mostly on the head, face, neck, and upper abdomen.

BCCs normally appear to be pink in colour though occasionally pigmentation is found within the borders of a BCC.

The differential diagnosis can be between a BCC and a non-pigmented or lightly-pigmented Malignant Melanoma.

Examples of BCC images taken using our specialised equipment can be seen on the left, entitled BCC 1 to BCC 6.

2. Squammous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

SCCs represent approximately 15-20% of all skin cancers. These are normally removed via surgical excision. They are more difficult than a BCC to treat. SCCs can spread throughout the body if not treated early.

These lesions usually grow slowly over months. They are found mostly on sun exposed skin including the head (especially those that are bald), face, ears, back of the hands, and forearms.

These skin cancers normally grow in sun exposed skin and commonly develop from Solar Keratosis.

Examples of an SCC image can be seen in the images to the left entitled SCC 1 and SCC 2.

3. Malignant Melanoma

Malignant Melanom represent approximately 5% of all skin cancers. This is the most dangerous skin cancer and occurs more frequently in:

• People who have a family history of Malignant Melanoma.

• People who have a large number of moles on their body.

• People with fair complexions; particularly those with red hair, blue eyes, and/or an inability to tan.

• People who have had significant sun exposure.

• People who are older.
  Note: Statistically more common as a person ages, however Malignant Melanoma is the most common cancer in people aged under 25.

Facts:

• 8,000 Australians develop Malignant Melanoma every year.

• 1,000 Melanoma related deaths every year in Australia.

• The life time risk is dependent on an individual's level of sun exposure. For example, in Tasmania 1:44 develop Melanoma; 1:29 in NSW and 1:19 in Queensland.

• People with Dysplastic Naevus syndrome (people with large numbers of multi-coloured pigmented moles) have an increased risk of developing Melanoma.
  For these people, 50% of Melanomas develop in previously existing Dysplastic Neavus and 50% in apparently normal skin.

• Malignant Melanomas do not always occur on the skin. Occasionally, Melanomas can develop under nails, inside the mouth, behind the eye in the retina, and many other places.

• Approximately 10% of Melanomas are completely non-pigmented (that is, they are not coloured). These Melanomas can be mistaken for BCCs and SCCs.

Examples of Malignant Melanomas can be seen in the images to the left entitled Metastatic Melanoma, and Malignant Melanoma 1 to 3.

Papular Angio Keratoma (shown in an example image to the left) is an example of a benign lesion that can be mistaken for a Melanoma.