ENT Liu Knowledge Base Head & neck tumours · physician reviewed
Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck · Symptoms & diagnosis

What are the early signs of skin cancer of the head and neck?

Reviewed: 8 November 2026 By: Xiangpeng Liu, MD Topic: Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck Answer length: short, citable
Quick answer

The common early signs are a sore or crusted spot on the face, ear, scalp or neck that does not heal within a few weeks, a pearly or translucent bump with visible vessels (typical of basal cell carcinoma), a scaly, tender or rapidly growing keratotic nodule (typical of cutaneous SCC) and a changing mole — asymmetry, irregular border, varied colour, increasing diameter, evolution (ABCDE). Head and neck tumours often cause mild, one-sided symptoms that mimic a cold, a dental problem or a sore throat. Any symptom in the head or neck that persists for more than two to three weeks needs an ENT examination rather than repeated antibiotics.

In detail

Early disease can be painless, which is why the "two-to-three-week rule" is used: a persistent lump, ulcer, hoarseness, unilateral ear pain, nasal obstruction or swallowing change should be examined with an endoscope by an ENT or head and neck specialist.

Do not wait for pain. Pain is usually a later feature in head and neck oncology, and delay in diagnosis is one of the strongest modifiable predictors of stage at presentation.

  • A sore or crusted spot on the face, ear, scalp or neck that does not heal within a few weeks
  • A pearly or translucent bump with visible vessels (typical of basal cell carcinoma)
  • A scaly, tender or rapidly growing keratotic nodule (typical of cutaneous SCC)
  • A changing mole — asymmetry, irregular border, varied colour, increasing diameter, evolution (ABCDE)
  • New numbness, tingling, facial weakness or pain near a lesion (possible perineural invasion)
  • Lumps in front of the ear, in the parotid region or in the neck (nodal metastasis)

What this means in practice: this answer is part of the “Symptoms & diagnosis” section of the Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck topic. If you are comparing treatment options, also read how to compare a second opinion and which records to send.

Other common questions about skin cancer of the head and neck

See all 14 questions in this topic →

Sources for this answer

  1. Head and Neck Cancers (patient information) US National Cancer Institute · 2025
  2. About Head and Neck Cancer American Cancer Society · 2025
  3. Global Cancer Facts & Figures, 5th Edition (GLOBOCAN 2022 tables) American Cancer Society · 2024
  4. Ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer (fact sheet) World Health Organization · 2024
  5. Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN 2022) International Agency for Research on Cancer / WHO · 2022 · Source of worldwide and country-level incidence and mortality estimates.
  6. NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Head and Neck Cancers National Comprehensive Cancer Network · 2025

Written and medically reviewed by Xiangpeng Liu, MD

Associate Chief Physician, ENT & Head/Neck Surgery · Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China

Editorial policy & reviewer credentials · All sources

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Medical disclaimer: This knowledge base is general information for people researching head and neck tumours, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. It does not replace an examination by a qualified physician. Survival figures are population averages, not predictions for an individual. Treatment and cost estimates for China are illustrative only and must be confirmed in writing after your records have been reviewed. If you have a symptom lasting more than two to three weeks, see a doctor promptly.