Basal cell skin cancer is the most common form of skin cancer in the world. Most patients have not regularly used sun protection, and it typically grows on sun-damaged skin such as the head, neck and torso. They may present as a small shiny bump or dip in the skin with prominent blood vessels. Some types look like a patchy rash. They may at times contain dark dots of pigment. Frequently they bleed.

Early recognition of basal cell skin cancer may help keep it from going into deeper tissues where it can be more difficult to remove. Treatment of basal cell skin cancer depends on the size, subtype and location of the basal cell skin cancer.