Late Stage Skin Cancer Symptoms

Late stage skin cancer is essentially cancer that developed in the melanocytes (the cells that produce pigment), the basal cells (those that make up the outer layer) or the squamous cells (the cells that make up the surface) and has now advanced beyond the epidermis and dermis into other areas of the body. Though the cancer may no longer be contained within the skin, it is still considered skin cancer, as this was the location of origin. Yet, there are certain symptoms that will be present in late stage skin cancer, no matter where it has advanced.

Bleeding

• In late stage skin cancer, a person will commonly experience some bleeding from a lesion or mole linked to the cancer.

Pain

• Many times, a person with late stage skin cancer will also experience some level of pain or discomfort from this same lesion or mole. However, this pain doesn't have to be connected to any bleeding.

Swelling

• Some swelling in the lymph nodes is another symptom. This swelling can take place in any area of the body containing lymph nodes, but will usually occur in either the groin or underarm.

Weight Loss

• As with most types of cancer, late stage skin cancer will often prompt a person to suffer from weight loss. This is mostly due to the cancer cells using up more calories than healthy cells.

Changes in the Skin

• Some people who are living with late stage skin cancer may begin to notice that the area affected with the abnormal cells has become thicker than the rest of his skin.

Other Symptoms

• A person with late stage skin cancer may suffer from moderate-to-severe headaches, bouts of coughing and seizures.