Diagnosis of non-melanoma skin cancer

Diagnosis is the process of finding out the cause of a health problem. Diagnosing cancer often means first ruling out other health conditions that share similar symptoms with cancer. It can be a very worrying time for you and your loved ones. Sometimes this process is quick. Sometimes it can feel long and frustrating. But it's important for doctors to get all the information they need before making a diagnosis of cancer.

Diagnosing non-melanoma skin cancer usually begins with a visit to your family doctor. Your doctor will ask you about any signs or symptoms you have and will do a skin exam. Based on this information, your doctor will refer you to a specialist, such as a dermatologist or surgeon.

The following tests are usually used to rule out or diagnose non-melanoma skin cancer.

Your health history is a record of your symptoms and risks and all the medical events and problems you have had in the past. Your doctor will ask questions about your history of:

• sun exposure and indoor tanning
• signs or symptoms that suggest non-melanoma skin cancer
• actinic keratosis (a precancerous condition of the skin)
• inherited conditions, such as xeroderma pigmentosum and basal cell nevus syndrome

Your doctor may also ask about a family history of skin cancer, both non-melanoma and melanoma.

A skin exam allows your doctor to look for any signs of skin cancer or an abnormal area of skin. During a skin exam, your doctor will check the entire surface of your skin, especially areas of skin exposed to the sun. Find out more about skin exam.

Some non-melanoma skin cancers can spread to the lymph nodes. Your doctor may also feel nearby lymph nodes to see if they are larger than normal.

During a skin biopsy, the doctor removes tissues or cells from the skin so they can be tested in a lab. A report from a pathologist will show whether or not cancer cells are found in the sample. The type of biopsy used often depends on what the growth or abnormal area looks like and where it is located.

A shave biopsy shaves off a growth or abnormal area of skin using a flexible razor blade or a surgical knife (called a scalpel). It is usually used for raised growths. It can also be used for flat abnormal areas that are only on the outer surface of the skin (superficial).

A punch biopsy removes a round area of skin using a sharp tool called a punch or trephine. It is usually used when the growth or abnormal area is under the skin or seems to have grown deep into the skin.

An excisional biopsy( a type of surgical biopsy) removes the entire growth or abnormal area using a scalpel. It is usually done when the doctor thinks the whole growth or area needs to be examined to make a proper diagnosis.

Find out more about shave biopsy, punch biopsy and excisional biopsy ( surgical biopsy) .

Find out more about a diagnosis. To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your healthcare team questions about diagnosis.