Skin Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Skin Cancer?
A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, is the main doctor for skin cancer. A board-certified dermatologist can tell you whether a spot is skin cancer or something else. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is cancer that begins on your skin. It happens when cells in the skin grow out of control. It is the most common cancer in the United States.
The three most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers can usually be cured, but treatment can leave scars. Melanoma is less common, but it causes more deaths because it often spreads to other parts of the body.
Symptoms
Skin cancer can look different from person to person. It can look like:
- A growing spot or bump that may bleed.
- A rough, scaly spot or patch.
- A firm, dome-shaped growth.
- A shiny bump.
- A sore that does not heal, or heals and comes back in the same spot.
- A mole that shows any of the ABCDEs of melanoma.
A spot might be melanoma if one half looks different from the other half, the border is blurry or uneven, or it has two or more colors. It might also be melanoma if it is bigger than a pencil eraser (melanoma can be smaller) or is changing over time.
Many people with early skin cancer feel fine. Some spots itch, feel tender or painful, or cause some numbness. Skin cancer often appears on skin that has had a lot of sun, such as the scalp, neck, hands, and arms.
Causes and who gets it
Too much ultraviolet (UV) light causes most skin cancers. UV light comes from the sun and from indoor tanning. UV light damages skin cells, and over time the damage adds up.
Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in people who:
- Spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned.
- Have light-colored skin, hair, and eyes.
- Have a family member with skin cancer.
- Are over age 50.
- Have 50 or more moles, or moles with an unusual shape.
People with darker skin can get skin cancer too. They are often diagnosed at a later stage, when it is harder to treat.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor first looks closely at the spot. A dermatologist may also do a full-body skin exam, which checks your skin, scalp, and nails from head to toe.
A skin biopsy is needed to diagnose skin cancer. The doctor numbs the area and removes some skin from the spot. The skin is sent to a lab, where a doctor looks at it under a microscope. This is the only way to know for certain if you have skin cancer.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of skin cancer, how deeply it has grown, and your overall health. Many skin cancers are treated with surgery. When the cancer is found early, surgery is often the only treatment needed. It is often done with a local anesthetic, a medicine that numbs the area, so you stay awake. Surgery choices include:
- Excision, which removes the cancer and a bit of normal-looking skin around it.
- Mohs surgery, a specialized surgery used only for skin cancer. The surgeon checks what was removed under a microscope and keeps going until no cancer cells are seen.
Other treatments include radiation therapy, cryosurgery (freezing the cancer), and photodynamic therapy, which uses a chemical and a special light. Medicines taken by mouth or immunotherapy, which helps the immune system fight cancer, may be used for advanced skin cancer.
Dermatologists do not recommend natural remedies for skin cancer. None have been proven to work, and some can be harmful.
When to see a doctor
See a board-certified dermatologist if you find a spot or growth on your skin that is growing, bleeding, or changing. You should have a doctor check any suspicious skin marks and any change in the way your skin looks. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can look over a spot that worries you, help you decide when to see a dermatologist, and coordinate follow-up skin checks. Biopsies and surgery are done by a dermatologist or other specialist.
Common questions
What causes skin cancer?
Most skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun and from indoor tanning. UV light damages skin cells. Over time the damage adds up, and skin cancer can develop.
What does skin cancer look like?
Skin cancer can look like a growing spot or bump that may bleed, a rough scaly patch, a firm dome-shaped growth, or a shiny bump. It can also look like a sore that does not heal. A mole can be a warning sign if it shows any of the ABCDEs of melanoma.
Can skin cancer be cured?
It depends on the type. Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers can usually be cured, but treatment can leave scars. Melanoma causes more deaths because it often spreads. Finding any skin cancer early makes it more treatable.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology - Skin cancer: Symptoms, diagnosis, and causes
- MedlinePlus - Skin Cancer
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Skin Cancer Basics
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
