The specialist will be able to tell a great deal from a simple examination of the affected area of skin. However, it is not always possible to distinguish between skin cancers and benign conditions by examination alone. You may be advised to have a biopsy. This is a quick and simple procedure which can usually be done in the outpatients department using a local anaesthetic. The doctor will remove all or part of the lump and send it to the laboratory for analysis under a microscope by a pathologist.

As basal cell carcinomas almost never spread, there will probably be no need for further tests as long as the cancer has been completely removed.

As squamous cell carcinomas may occasionally spread, your doctor may want to do one or two other tests as well as the physical examination and biopsy. This is to make sure that there is no need for further treatment. The tests are particularly important if you have had treatment for skin cancer before and it has come back (recurred). During the physical examination, the doctor will probably feel the lymph glands close to the cancer to see if any of them are enlarged. You will probably be asked to have a chest x-ray and possibly blood tests to assess your general health. If any other tests are necessary your doctor will discuss these with you.

Follow-up

It may take 2-4 weeks for the results of the biopsy to be ready. A follow-up appointment to give you the results may be arranged before you go home.