—– Peer-Reviewed Skin Cancer Detection

Know What
To Look For

ODD SPOT™ is a comprehensive, peer-reviewed skin cancer detection mnemonic covering all three major types — basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. Published in JAAD.

O

Odd Looking
Different, unusual, or just doesn't look right

D

DRY / SCABBY
Rough, flaky, crusted, or scab-like surface

D

DISCOLORED
Black, brown, pink, white, or combinations

S

SHINY
Translucent with tiny blood vessels visible

P

PUFFY / PAINFUL
Raised, swollen, tender, or painful to touch

O

OPEN, OOZING OR BLEEDING
Wound that bleeds, oozes, or won't close

T

TRANSFORMING
New, growing, or changing in any way
—– ABOUT ODD SPOT™

More Than Just Melanoma

For decades, the ABCDE criteria focused public awareness almost entirely on melanoma — leaving basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas largely outside the patient education conversation. Yet BCC and SCC together make up roughly 95% of all skin cancers diagnosed each year. ODD SPOT™ was developed to close that gap: a single, memorable tool that helps patients recognize the warning signs of all three major skin cancers, backed by peer-reviewed science and designed for real-world use.

—– THE THREE SKIN CANCERS

Know Your Cancers

MOST COMMON

Basal Cell Carcinoma

BCC — arising from basal cells of the epidermis

3.6M

U.S. CASES/YR

~80%

OF SKIN CANCERS

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer in the United States, arising from the deepest layer of the outer epidermis. It grows slowly and rarely spreads to other organs — but untreated BCC can invade surrounding tissues, including nerves and bone.

 

BCC most often appears on sun-exposed areas such as the face, scalp, neck, and hands. It can present as a pearly or translucent bump, a flat scar-like lesion, a pink growth with raised edges, or a recurring open sore. Chronic UV exposure is the primary risk factor.

TREATMENT

Mohs surgery

Excision

ED&C

Topical therapy

Radiation

Targeted therapy

SECOND MOST COMMON

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

SCC — arising from squamous cells of the epidermis

1.8M

U.S. CASES/YR

~80%

OF SKIN CANCERS

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer, originating in the squamous cells that comprise the middle and outer layers of the skin. Unlike BCC, SCC carries meaningful metastatic potential — it can spread to lymph nodes or distant organs, particularly from high-risk sites such as the lip or ear.

 

SCC often develops from precancerous actinic keratoses caused by cumulative sun damage. It can appear as a firm red nodule, a flat keratotic plaque, a sore in an existing scar, or a wart-like growth. Immunosuppression, HPV, and chronic wounds are additional risk factors.

TREATMENT

Mohs surgery

Excision

Radiation

Cryotherapy

Immunotherapy

Chemotherapy

MOST DANGEROUS

Melanoma

Arising from melanocytes — pigment-producing cells

100K

U.S. CASES/YR

~1%

HIGHEST MORTALITY

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths despite representing only about 1% of cases. It originates in melanocytes and can spread rapidly to lymph nodes, lungs, brain, and other organs when not caught early.

 

Melanoma can develop within an existing mole or appear as a new, unusual spot anywhere on the body — including areas never exposed to the sun. Risk factors include UV exposure, fair skin, family history, and a personal history of blistering sunburns. Survival rates are excellent with early-stage detection.

TREATMENT

Wide local excision

Sentinel node biopsy

Immunotherapy

Targeted therapy

Radiation

Clinical trials

—– VISUAL REFERENCE GUIDE

ODD SPOT™ In Action

Each letter describes a warning sign that can appear in any of the three skin cancers. See how each feature presents across BCC, SCC, and melanoma.

BASAL CELL CARCINOMA

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

MELANOMA

O

ODD LOOKING

All of these fall into Odd-looking (with additional categories noted)

BASAL CELL

Odd looking, Discolored (pink and white), Shiny, Open/Oozing, Transforming

SQUAMOUS CELL

Odd-looking, Discolored (pink), Open/Oozing, Transforming

MELANOMA

O-Melanoma
O-Melanoma1
O-Melanoma2
Odd-looking, Discolored (black), Transforming

D

DRY / SCABBY

A rough, flaky, crusted, or scab-like surface that persists. Skin cancers often mimic dry patches or chronic scabs that won’t resolve.

BASAL CELL

Recurring crusted sore on sun-exposed skin that scabs over, clears, and returns — a classic BCC pattern

SQUAMOUS CELL

Thick, keratotic crust on a firm base — SCC is often misidentified as a dry patch or wart

MELANOMA

Surface crust or scale developing over a previously smooth pigmented lesion — a sign of change

D

DISCOLORED

Abnormal coloration — black, brown, pink, or white, or any combination within a single lesion. Multiple colors are especially concerning.

BASAL CELL

Pink or flesh-toned growth with translucent or whitish areas — BCC color is often subtle and easily dismissed

SQUAMOUS CELL

Red, inflamed, or pink keratotic plaque — discoloration often indicates underlying inflammation or invasion

MELANOMA

Multiple shades — tan, brown, black, pink, white, or blue within one lesion — one of melanoma’s defining features

S

SHINY

Translucent, pearlescent, or glassy surface — often with tiny blood vessels (telangiectasias) visible beneath. A hallmark of nodular BCC.

BASAL CELL

O-BCC
O-Melanoma
O-SCC
Classic nodular BCC — translucent, pearly dome with rolled edges and visible surface blood vessels

SQUAMOUS CELL

Smooth, waxy SCC nodule — the shiny surface distinguishes it from the more common keratotic presentation

MELANOMA

Nodular melanoma — raised, shiny, pink or flesh-toned with a glossy surface and no classic dark pigmentation

P

PUFFY / PAINFUL

A raised, swollen, or indurated lesion — or one that is tender, painful, or causes a burning sensation. Skin cancers that cause symptoms demand attention.

BASAL CELL

BCC with perineural invasion — can cause localized pain, tingling, or numbness in surrounding skin

SQUAMOUS CELL

Raised, indurated, and tender SCC — puffiness and pain are common in more advanced or ulcerated lesions

MELANOMA

A raised, thickened, or painful area within a pigmented lesion — elevation signals vertical growth phase

O

OPEN, OOZING OR BLEEDING

A wound that bleeds, oozes, or crusts without fully closing. Skin cancer-associated sores do not follow normal healing timelines.

BASAL CELL

Ulcerated BCC with a central crater that bleeds easily — surrounded by a raised, rolled, pearly border

SQUAMOUS CELL

Open, oozing SCC ulcer with a crusted surface and firm, indurated base — often bleeds from minor trauma

MELANOMA

Spontaneous bleeding or oozing within a pigmented lesion — a serious red flag requiring immediate evaluation

T

TRANSFORMING

A new spot that wasn’t there before, or any existing spot that is growing, changing shape, changing color, or changing in any way over time.

BASAL CELL

A slow-growing BCC enlarging over months — patients often report a “new bump” that has gradually increased in size

SQUAMOUS CELL

SCC evolving from a pre-existing actinic keratosis — a rough patch that thickens, raises, or begins to ulcerate

MELANOMA

A mole undergoing change in size, shape, color, or texture — any transformation in a pigmented lesion warrants biopsy

When In Doubt, Get It Checked.

Early detection saves lives. If any spot on your skin matches an ODD SPOT™ feature, schedule a full-body skin check with a board-certified dermatologist.
FIND A DERMATOLOGIST
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