Is skin cancer benign in its early stages?
Aug 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, early-stage skin cancer is not benign. Skin cancer itself is a malignant tumor; whether in the early or late stages, its nature is essentially malignant. Skin cancer is a malignant tumor arising from skin tissue. Although in the early stage, cancer cells are confined to the site of the lesion without spreading or metastasizing, the malignant characteristics of the cells are already present, possessing the potential for uncontrolled proliferation and invasion of surrounding tissues.
In general, early-stage skin cancer is not benign. Skin cancer itself is a malignant tumor, and whether in the early or late stages, its nature is essentially malignant. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Skin cancer is a malignant tumor arising from skin tissue. In the early stages, although cancer cells are confined to the affected area without spreading or metastasizing, the malignant characteristics of the cells already exist, with potential for uncontrolled proliferation and invasion of surrounding tissues. Common types of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, are biologically malignant even in the early stages and are not benign lesions.
Benign skin lesions are fundamentally different from skin cancer. Cells in benign lesions proliferate slowly and do not invade surrounding tissues or metastasize, such as moles and lipomas. Although symptoms of early skin cancer may not be obvious, as the disease progresses, it will gradually destroy surrounding tissues and even metastasize, posing a serious threat to health.
In daily life, one should protect the skin, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, and reduce irritation from chemicals or radiation on the skin.
