Keratoacanthoma vs Basal Cell Carcinoma
How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.
Feature
Keratoacanthoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Category
Pre-cancerous
Malignant
Key feature
Rapidly growing dome-shaped nodule with a central crater. Most dermatologists treat it as low-grade SCC.
The most common cancer in humans. Slow-growing, rarely spreads, but can cause serious tissue damage if untreated.
Risk factors
Chronic sun exposure; Fair skin; Age over 50
Chronic cumulative sun exposure over many years (outdoor workers, sun-seekers); Fair skin, light hair, light eye color (Fitzpatrick types I-III); Age over 50, though increasingly diagnosed in younger adults
Action needed
Any rapidly growing dome-shaped nodule
A pearly, shiny, or translucent bump - especially with tiny visible blood vessels
Keratoacanthoma
Keratoacanthoma grows from nothing to 1-2cm within 4-8 weeks - a dome-shaped nodule with a central keratin-filled crater giving a volcano-like appearance.
Read full guide →Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the single most common form of cancer worldwide, with an estimated 3.6 million cases diagnosed annually in the United States alone. It arises from basal cells in the deepest layer of the epidermis.
Read full guide →Does yours look more like keratoacanthoma?
Quick self-check
Does this look like keratoacanthoma? Answer 2 questions.
Did it appear rapidly - within weeks?
Does it have a dome shape with a central crater?
Still not sure?
Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.
Full ABCDE check →