Severity

Inherent variation of the disease process can be due to the severity of the disease.

Basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer, has a number of subtypes that present along a spectrum of severity. Early, small basal cell carcinomas can look like a blemish or a tiny pimple. Advanced basal cell carcinomas can appear as an ulcerating tumor.

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  This early, small papule of basal cell carcinoma has some tiny telangiectasias suggesting the diagnosis.

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  Basal cell carcinomas progress over time from subtle to more obvious skin lesions.

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  This is a quite large nodular basal cell carcinoma with a classic "rolled" border.

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  This long-standing basal cell carcinoma has developed a bloody crust over a skin ulcer caused by the tumor.