Skin cancer of the scalp
The scalp gets a lot of sun, which is why skin cancer often develops there. Here you can read about the symptoms, how skin cancer of the scalp is treated, and what you can do yourself to prevent it.
Medically reviewed by Martin Glud, consultant and specialist in dermatology, PhD
Updated 9 November 2026
Look out for
Sores that don't heal
Small sores on the scalp that won't heal.
Red, scaly patches
Changes in the skin that don't go away.
A lump that bleeds
A lump or nodule that grows, bleeds, oozes or forms a crust.
Symptoms
What skin cancer of the scalp can look like
Skin cancer of the scalp usually appears as small sores that won't heal, or as red, scaly changes that don't go away. It can also be a lump that bleeds or oozes.
Your hair can hide the changes, so they are easily overlooked. Ask someone else to look over your scalp, especially if your hair is thin or you are bald.
If you suspect skin cancer of the scalp, see a doctor straight away.
Skin cancer of the scalp is usually basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma can also develop on the scalp. Read about the different types of skin cancer.
See pictures of skin cancerTreatment
Treatment of skin cancer of the scalp
Skin cancer of the scalp can be treated in several ways. Scraping (curettage) and creams are used for low-risk tumours. Surgery such as Mohs surgery gives the greatest certainty that all of the cancer has been removed, and therefore the lowest risk of recurrence.
Mohs surgery preserves as much hair as possible
If the skin cancer has spread over a large area, you may lose hair growth where the cancer was. With Mohs surgery, we remove up to 40% less tissue than with standard surgery. This means you can keep as much hair growth as possible, and the scar is smaller.
How the operation works
The operation is always done under local anaesthetic. We remove the visible skin cancer and a narrow margin of 1–2 mm of the healthy skin around it. The tissue is examined under a microscope while you wait, and we only remove more if there are still cancer cells at the edge.
Skin Cancer Clinic is the only private clinic in Denmark that treats skin cancer with Mohs surgery.
Read about Mohs surgeryPrevention
Protect your scalp from the sun
Both to prevent skin cancer and if you have already had skin cancer of the scalp, we recommend that you:
- wear a sun hat
- use sunscreen so you don't get sunburnt
- seek shade between 12:00 and 15:00
- stay away from sunbeds
Treatment usually leads to a cure. But if you have had skin cancer of the scalp, you are at greater risk of getting skin cancer again. That is why it is a good idea to have your skin checked regularly, for example with a full-body skin check.
Private clinic
Unsure about a spot?
As a private clinic, we can offer short waiting times, and you don't need a referral. A specialist can look at a single spot or examine all of your skin.