5½ week progression of a basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) lesion on my cheek

Sep 19, 2026 4:31 AM

BrieBelle00

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625

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27

Looked like it was trying to spell something.

2 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thank you. And I hope you're going to be ok.

3 days ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 1

Hope you get it taken care of soon.

Been there, done that. A dermatologist removed a pepperoni sized chunk off my neck a few years ago. Remember kids, if some looks like that, get it looked at.

2 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Had one on my forehead. Just get the Mohs surgery as soon as you can & don’t stress about it. It’s a far cry from melanoma.

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thank you for posting them in order and I hope you are able to get treatment soon and successfully.

3 days ago | Likes 41 Dislikes 1

Being raised in a desert state means I developed several of these over the years. Most have been on the 'driver side' of my face, though a few have been on my arms and legs. It's just part of the 'play outside' generation I guess. Dermatologists are making a fortune in the southwestern states.

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thank you for sharing OP! I don’t know if I would have been as astute as you. Here’s for an uneventful surgery, and a well healed, minimal scar.

3 days ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I had one cut from my cheek, right next to my lip. It was my 3rd one, so I should have caught it earlier b/c I already knew how the early symptoms arise. The weird tingling, the little tickling burning feeling, makes me want to scratch it, knock that mosquito off there, or whatever.
The one on my shoulder & 2 on my back were far worse. There wasn't enough loose skin on my back for stitches to hold, they had to leave them open. The worst one was 6mm deep & 19mm wide, & took over 7wks to heal.

3 days ago | Likes 54 Dislikes 1

Holy crap!! I hope you’re doing well now!

3 days ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 1

Thankfully they've always taken the whole cell in the first pass, never had to go back in b/c they didn't go deep enough. They have to biopsy whatever they took, make sure the margin is clear (no visible 'roots') which can take some lab time. If they didn't get it all, back in they go.
There's a 7in railroad scar on my upper arm from my 1st one. I didn't know what it was nor did I have medical ins. Only got it addressed because the guitarist in my band was a doctor, & he snuck me in.
So lucky.

3 days ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 1

Mine didn't look anything like that, just like a huge freckle, at least 1/2 inch across. It never changed shape or anything. Fortunately I have a PA friend who noticed it and made me get it checked out.

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Damn, i totally would have thought it's just a weird pimple. Crazy how fast it changes appearances, I didn't know that was a thing. How long did you have it before you took the first pic? A long time or did it appear as quickly as it would change later on?

3 days ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Took the first photos at the end of day 3. I thought it was gonna be a painful under the skin pimple, but by the 3rd day it still didn't hurt at all. Thought that was weird.

My mom, mom's mom, dad, and dad's dad have all had multiple bouts of various skin cancers, and I had a couple real bad sunburns in my teens. I guess I've always just assumed I'd end up with it one day, so I've always been extra suspicious of everything 😅 This is the first time it's actually been something

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thanks for the reply! I've already saved this post for later reference. I'm definitely too carefree about stuff like that, even though I was born in the Seventies and had so many bad sunburns as a kid, so I can't imagine that not coming back to haunt me.
So thanks for posting this - and fingers crossed you'll be able to get it removed soon & completely. 🫂

2 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yikes! Pretty easy to overlook.

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Honestly the cancer will get me. My skin is so determined to fuck up that I'll never spot it among everything else.

3 days ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

wow that escalated quickly 🙀
i had no idea! I wouldn't even have noticed that or thought it's some inflammation or whatever and will go away in a week or so.

3 days ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 1

The timing is the key. I just had a basal cell removed, and it looked like nothing. It just didn’t go away. The dermatologist didn’t even get out her tool, just eyeballed this small, slightly raised, skin-coloured bump on my forehead and sent me to a MOHS clinic for removal.
If it doesn’t go away, doesn’t heal, is always flaky… anything like that you’ve got to get it looked at.

3 days ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

If you're gonna get any kind of cancer, this is high on the list of preference. Very treatable and the procedure is mundanely routine these days.

3 days ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I have SCC on my scalp right now waiting to get that removed hopefully soon

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Super helpful, OP, thanks for sharing. I’m pregnant and have had lots of stressful skin changes. Currently on week 4 of healing from a biopsy of a very unusual mole (thankfully just a lumpy, irregular, appeared-from-nowhere discolored mole) in the arch of my foot… but it was worth the peace of mind to remove it. If you spot something weird, don’t wait to get an appointment. You’ll be waiting long enough for the appointment itself and can always cancel later.

2 days ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Welcome to the club. I've had 9 Mohs procedures just on my face. Ask your doctor about Flourouracil %5. It's like a chemical 'peel', but it can halt and sometimes stop development of a blemish to a carcinoma or worse--melanoma & squameous cell.

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I had a basal cell carcinoma removed at the end of August. Do anything you can to get to a MOHS cliniic for removal. They are the top of the line and will both get it all, and leave you with the least scarring.
If possible, don’t let a dermatological surgeon touch your face. Even a plastic surgeon will remove far more tissue and leave a larger scar than MOHS. Look into it, please.

3 days ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Appreciate the advice, thank you!

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

How did you know it was cancer to start taking pictures of it?

3 days ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 1

I thought it was gonna be a painful under-the-skin pimple for the first couple days, but by day 3 when it still didn't hurt at all I was like "that's... weird..." and took the first photos so I could compare over the next few days.

I got sunburnt pretty bad a couple times in my teens; plus, my mom, maternal grandma, dad, and paternal grandpa have all had multiple bouts of various skin cancers, so I've always been extra suspicious of any spots. This is the first time it's been something though

3 days ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Yeah I’d have thought it was a pimple :(

3 days ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Same, now I'm questioning some of the strange bumps ive gained recent ish that havent gone away after weeks

3 days ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

But have they gone away eventually? I had a weird mole that two derms looked at with inconclusive biopsies that eventually faded

2 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

One ive had for years, another has only appeared somewhat recently. Neither went away

2 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Maybe do the ABCDE test asymmetry, Borders, Color, diameter, evolving

2 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

A.) I am so sorry it took so long to get an appointment, that really sucks!!

B.) Since this is something you’ve had, you’ll probably need to get spots checked more often. Rather than biopsy, there’s a band-aid-pull-off test that just takes the top layer that comes off the sticky surface. If you call DermTech (that’s what it’s called) they can point you to nearby dermatologists that use it. I haven’t had issues with insurance but it’s been a while.

C.) You absolutely rock for sharing. @op

3 days ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

.

2 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thanks for sharing. Crazy how much it changed every day. Glad you’re taking care of it.

3 days ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Ive got one like that on my left temple. They biopsied it and it's basal cell. That was months ago. I was told I can go back to my family doc and get it removed and have scarring or go to a dermatologist and get it removed. I cant afford either.

2 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

As an American without health insurance, this would kill me.

Fuck fuck fucking fuck fuck. Fuck.

3 days ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 3

Better story then twilight

2 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Not until the one on my face, above my lip become an open unhealing sore did i realize it was no ordinary mole. Had it carved out and it was non cancerous thankfully. I am an outdoors person and live in Florida.

2 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

This is terrifying. Did you recognize it as cancer right away? I just had one removed but it was way more obvious before I even noticed it.

2 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

No, the first couple days thought it was gonna be one of those painful under the skin pimples, but by day 3 it still didn't hurt at all and kinda just wasn't growing like a normal pimple. Both parents and two grandparents have had various skin cancers so I've always assumed I would have it, and have been extra suspicious of any/everything on my skin. I've got hundreds of pics of spots that looked exactly like this and turned into just regular ol' pimples 😅

2 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

While I waited almost 6 weeks for the first available dermatologist appointment i obsessively scoured the internet trying to find skin cancer progression photos. Nothing. So, here's mine. Knowing someone else had gone through what I was seeing would have at least been *some* peace of mind. Hopefully these photos can save someone a little stress in the future

3 days ago | Likes 442 Dislikes 3

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 8

Much appreciated. I hope it’s removed soon. There are some incredible chemo creams too.
I found out I had lymphoma from a small lump inside my cheek that they *finally* biopsied after 6 months of me coming in monthly and sending photos in between.
Be your best advocate, people- get stuff checked out early and often.

3 days ago | Likes 71 Dislikes 1

Girl, getting an appointment with a dermatologist where I live is like getting a private audience with the Pope. So glad you're finally able to get it taken care of. Best of luck!

3 days ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 0

after 3 months of waiting for a dr apt i finally got one only for them to say they couldnt do anything and recommended me to a dermatologist....in 5 more months -_- (psoriasis or eczema or something)

3 days ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Can I recommend you put it on reddit or something? I feel that alot of ppl will search on that website. btw I highly appreciate the pics.

3 days ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 0

* a lot


(allot, allotted, allotting: verb - to apportion or distribute)

3 days ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I actually did post it on reddit the day before, to r/skincareaddiction! I was so surprised that I couldn't find any type of "progression album" like this anywhere on the internet while I waited to get into a dermatologist.

3 days ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Question. Are you in the US? I could see so many people here waiting weeks before even booking an appointment because our insurance is so screwy.

3 days ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Did you know what it was from the beginning?

3 days ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Nope, just that it was a pimple that wasn't pimpling quite right. Normally these under the skin pimples are super painful, but by day 3 it still didn't hurt at all. Thought "that's strange... "

My mom, maternal grandma, dad, and paternal grandpa have all had various skin cancers, and i had a couple pretty bad sunburns in my teens. I've always just sorta assumed I'd have it at some point, and have been overly suspicious of every skin change. This was the first time it was actually something

3 days ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

That seems to be changing relatively quickly, so I’m glad you’re getting it checked. The good news is that BCCs are generally slow growing, rarely metastasise and are easily treated. I’ve had about ten cut out, but there are often other less-invasive options.

2 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I think we all hope you’re ok.

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

i dont have just one of these i have many. and for much much longer than 6 weeks. doctor here are fucked. i cant convince one to see me

3 days ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I’ll get checked.

7 hours ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thank you for posting. I'm now wondering if I need to get this not-pimple on my jaw checked...

1 day ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I had the same on my temple. For the first months I didn’t care as I didn’t realize what it was. Some day it started to bleed when I had a shower and dried my hair. So I got an appointment at a dermatologist and it was skin cancer. Had it cut out and it’s healing well. If you have questions…
My wife tried something like a black cream on a birthmark and got rid of it. But I didn’t understand how it works.

3 days ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

That progressed so quickly, I had no idea.
Hope you're doing good.

3 days ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Nice reference, but to an untrained eye, this just looks like acne? How is someone supposed to tell the difference?

3 days ago | Likes 36 Dislikes 3

Try to pop it.

3 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 16

It's changing and growing quite rapidly. If you see anything like that and you aren't 100% sure that it's acne, please go see a dermatologist

3 days ago | Likes 34 Dislikes 1

You can look up the ABCDE's of skin cancer. This almost looks like a spider bite, post pimple/mosquito bite appearance but it's assymetric, border irregular, etc. thanks for sharing @op

1 day ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The first few days it looked like an under-the-skin pimple, but by the end of the first week it looks *definitely not* like a pimple.

3 days ago | Likes 53 Dislikes 1

A pimple will go away. These don’t

3 days ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Welp, it's not going away, it's somewhere where the skin is exposed to UV rays a lot, it might have a shiny, pearly appearance with a center ulceration and some weird blood vessels called telengiectasia. Basal cell carcinoma is very common and despite being a cancer it's one of the safest of them

3 days ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 2

*telangiectasia

2 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I would have poked and squeezed thE FUUUCK out of that thing. Skin cancer is no joke though. I hope everything is okay

3 days ago | Likes 148 Dislikes 3

As a boy, I guess I was as nasty as any young boy. I eventually had some sort of growth on the back of my wrist that I will call a wart. I don't think it was a wart but that is what I am calling it. It was very odd looking. My mother worked as a lab tech. She had access to surgery blades and for whatever reason she'd bring them home. They were clean when the arrived at home but hardly over time and reuse. What happened next was long before I became a heavy drinker.

2 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I used the blade to pick around the edges of the wart until there was clear separation between the skin and this wart. Once the skin was separated I used the tip of a metal nail file to flick and pull at the wart until it fell off. I then used a ligther to burn the tip of the metal nail file and once hot enough, I cauterized the open wound. Months later there was barely a scare. It never returned. I would have picked at this thing too.

2 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I would have just found something with a sharp end to pick pick pick away at it until clear and seriously bleeding.

Then in an almost unrelated note I once had blood poisoning meaning it helps to sterilise first and last.

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

My first thought exactly! If if looks like maaaaybe a pimple, it's getting squeezed.

3 days ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 1

You'd know right away. Doesn't act like one, hurts like hell, much more than it should, and no pus comes out it just bleeds like a stuck pig b/c it's got a cancerous amount of extra blood supply which it requires for its growth.
It also grows quickly into something you can't deal with.

3 days ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I'm not so sure that you would poke and squeeze. The first squamous cell carcinoma I found on myself was so painful to touch that I couldn't even breathe for about a full minute after touching it. Please do take it very seriously. The hopeful news is that I recently had my 19th tumor excised, over a span of 27 years now, and I'm basically OK. I'm getting quite a collection of surgery scars but I'm still plugging along.

3 days ago | Likes 47 Dislikes 1

Have they not put you through some form of chemo or radiation?

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I've had topical chemo for the tumors on my scalp. No radiation so far. Lots of work with scalpels, though.

2 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hmm. Geez, I guess I can see why... I am a cancer survivor too, and I had a pick line for chemo. It seems like they're dealing with yours on a case-by-case basis? That sorta seems a little fucked...

2 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

My tumors generally present one at a time. I've had a variety of flavors of cancer. So far I've definitely had squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma that have been positively identified, plus other tumors where we didn't bother to identify the type, we just knew they had to be sliced out. So, yeah, case by case. Plus literally dozens of precancerous keratoses which are usually frozen using liquid nitrogen. I keep my dermatologist busy.

2 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Scars are a sign of strength. I have scars from military service and it took a lot of therapy for me to not see them as ugly but as medals of valour. You survived a battle too. Wear your chest candy with pride

3 days ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 2

Contextualising suffering is a meaningful thing to do yes. However, how you contextualise military service to a fascist pedophile oligarchy I'll never know.

2 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I got out years ago and I never served any presidents agenda. I worked with a UN task force cleaning up war criminals from the Bosnian civil war.

2 days ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Sure you did buddy, and the people's Republic of North Korea is a democratic socialist nation

1 day ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Thanks for saying, and I do wear them with pride, although I can't claim military service. You certainly have every reason to be proud.

3 days ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

Don't dismiss yourself. You have every reason to be proud as well. Seriously.

3 days ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

Thank you for your kind words.

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Btw, I am also a Harry Dresden fan. ;)

3 days ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1