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What Causes Raised Pinkish Lump On Forearm?
Question: Second opinion needed please......
! am a 67 year old male in generally good health who never venture into the Sun.
About 8-9 months ago I developed a lump on my forearm that is raised pink, irregular border and has a crusty surface. I thought perhaps it was caused by me picking at a wound or scab I may have had as I pick at most things.
It does not hurt, ooze or bleed and seldom it may itch a tiny bit but I leave it alone.
Size has not gotten any bigger in 8-9 months since I noticed it.
I read WAY too much on the NET but from all that I have read or have seen pics of it looks to me like Basel Cell.
I have not been to see a Dr. as funds are pretty tight right now at the Hoiday time.
Can a Dr. please look at the pic I am trying to attach from my Face book as I dont see any other way to attach a picture.
XXXXXX
I have been told that that it is quite RARE for Basel cell to be present on the forearm but I dont know how true this is.
I have also been told that it could be Non Pigmented amelanotic melanoma but from my understanding this is quite rare.
Can a Dr. kindly look at the URL picture I have tried to show and tell me more?
! am a 67 year old male in generally good health who never venture into the Sun.
About 8-9 months ago I developed a lump on my forearm that is raised pink, irregular border and has a crusty surface. I thought perhaps it was caused by me picking at a wound or scab I may have had as I pick at most things.
It does not hurt, ooze or bleed and seldom it may itch a tiny bit but I leave it alone.
Size has not gotten any bigger in 8-9 months since I noticed it.
I read WAY too much on the NET but from all that I have read or have seen pics of it looks to me like Basel Cell.
I have not been to see a Dr. as funds are pretty tight right now at the Hoiday time.
Can a Dr. please look at the pic I am trying to attach from my Face book as I dont see any other way to attach a picture.
XXXXXX
I have been told that that it is quite RARE for Basel cell to be present on the forearm but I dont know how true this is.
I have also been told that it could be Non Pigmented amelanotic melanoma but from my understanding this is quite rare.
Can a Dr. kindly look at the URL picture I have tried to show and tell me more?
Brief Answer:
looks like basal cell carcinoma
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your question. It is not that uncommon for basal cell carcinomas to show up on the forearm. Other common places are on the head, face and ears. They show up on areas that get sun exposure and forearms are often exposed more than other surfaces. I would suggest that you see your family doctor or a dermatologist and get this removed. Basal cell carcinomas do not metastazise and spread widely and quickly like a melanoma can, but they can spread locally and get deeper and harder to remove. The best way for determine the exact type of lesion this is is a biopsy. Usually dermatologists will just remove a smaller lesion like this and send it for pathology instead of doing a biopsy. Good luck to you and try to see a doctor soon.
looks like basal cell carcinoma
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your question. It is not that uncommon for basal cell carcinomas to show up on the forearm. Other common places are on the head, face and ears. They show up on areas that get sun exposure and forearms are often exposed more than other surfaces. I would suggest that you see your family doctor or a dermatologist and get this removed. Basal cell carcinomas do not metastazise and spread widely and quickly like a melanoma can, but they can spread locally and get deeper and harder to remove. The best way for determine the exact type of lesion this is is a biopsy. Usually dermatologists will just remove a smaller lesion like this and send it for pathology instead of doing a biopsy. Good luck to you and try to see a doctor soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hello Dr,
Thanks for the quick response.
W/O putting words into your mouth and in your professional opinion the pic I sent doesnt look to you to be that of Squamous or Melanoma does it?
Melanoma so I have read and have been told about is almost always a very dark color..correct?
Also what about the other possibility that I mentioned? Could it be Non Pigmented amelanotic melanoma ?
I have been told that is rare!?
Thanks
Thanks for the quick response.
W/O putting words into your mouth and in your professional opinion the pic I sent doesnt look to you to be that of Squamous or Melanoma does it?
Melanoma so I have read and have been told about is almost always a very dark color..correct?
Also what about the other possibility that I mentioned? Could it be Non Pigmented amelanotic melanoma ?
I have been told that is rare!?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
other sorts are possible
Detailed Answer:
It really looks like a basal cell, but that is never 100% without a tissue diagnosis. It is true that most melanomas are dark and irregular shapes and colors, but as you mentioned, not always. Also a squamous cell carcinoma could look like this. There is just no way to be certain without a biopsy, or removal of the lesion and then pathologist's report. Please see a doctor soon so that you can get a firm diagnosis and treatment.
other sorts are possible
Detailed Answer:
It really looks like a basal cell, but that is never 100% without a tissue diagnosis. It is true that most melanomas are dark and irregular shapes and colors, but as you mentioned, not always. Also a squamous cell carcinoma could look like this. There is just no way to be certain without a biopsy, or removal of the lesion and then pathologist's report. Please see a doctor soon so that you can get a firm diagnosis and treatment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you again Dr
IF this were to be Melanoma wouldnt it have gotten much bigger in the 8 or 9 months I have had it?
Isnt Melanoma or Squamous a much faster growing cancer?
Thanks again.
IF this were to be Melanoma wouldnt it have gotten much bigger in the 8 or 9 months I have had it?
Isnt Melanoma or Squamous a much faster growing cancer?
Thanks again.
Brief Answer:
often melanoma and squamous cell grow faster
Detailed Answer:
Hello again. Often it is true that melanoma and squamous cell grow faster. It is also true that they can metastasize without having the initial lesion get larger. The safest thing is to have it removed so that you will know for sure.
often melanoma and squamous cell grow faster
Detailed Answer:
Hello again. Often it is true that melanoma and squamous cell grow faster. It is also true that they can metastasize without having the initial lesion get larger. The safest thing is to have it removed so that you will know for sure.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Hello again Dr,
I am so sorry to keep deluging you with questions and I will get to a dermatologist at some point in time soon to have it looked at but again in your professional opinion what are the % chances that it is Melanoma?
I understand from all of my readings/research that Melanoma only accounts for a VERY small amount of skin cancers something like only 3-4%
BTW it has plaque on it now......... should I leave well enough alone and let the plaque fall off by itself? Will the plaque if Basel cell return if it does fall off?
What exactly is the plaque?
I am so sorry to keep deluging you with questions and I will get to a dermatologist at some point in time soon to have it looked at but again in your professional opinion what are the % chances that it is Melanoma?
I understand from all of my readings/research that Melanoma only accounts for a VERY small amount of skin cancers something like only 3-4%
BTW it has plaque on it now......... should I leave well enough alone and let the plaque fall off by itself? Will the plaque if Basel cell return if it does fall off?
What exactly is the plaque?
Brief Answer:
Need it removed
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The plaque is dead skin cells. The chance of melanoma is small definitely less than 5% but it is not 0%. I would not ignore this lesion if I were you.
Regards,
Need it removed
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The plaque is dead skin cells. The chance of melanoma is small definitely less than 5% but it is not 0%. I would not ignore this lesion if I were you.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Regardless of the kind it is how are they removed?
Is the procedure done "in office" ?
Having been 8-9 months now is it safe to assume that it is still treatable and wont come back?
If it has spread which I hope it hasnt what signs should I look for?
Is the procedure done "in office" ?
Having been 8-9 months now is it safe to assume that it is still treatable and wont come back?
If it has spread which I hope it hasnt what signs should I look for?
Brief Answer:
Freezing or shave biopsy
Detailed Answer:
hello again. If the doctor feels that this is definitely a wart they may simply freeze it off. If they are not sure, or if they think it is a skin tag they may want to numb the skin and take it off with a scalpel. If it is a wart, they may return. Genital warts are caused by human papilloma virus and may return. What you would look for would be small bumps are warts on the skin.
Freezing or shave biopsy
Detailed Answer:
hello again. If the doctor feels that this is definitely a wart they may simply freeze it off. If they are not sure, or if they think it is a skin tag they may want to numb the skin and take it off with a scalpel. If it is a wart, they may return. Genital warts are caused by human papilloma virus and may return. What you would look for would be small bumps are warts on the skin.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Perhaps you mis-understood my question but if it is Melanoma what signs should I look for or be aware of if it has spread?
Brief Answer:
Other lesions
Detailed Answer:
you might see other lesions if it spreads to skin or any mumber of symptoms. depending upon which organ it spreads to. For example you may have seizures if it spreads to brain.
Other lesions
Detailed Answer:
you might see other lesions if it spreads to skin or any mumber of symptoms. depending upon which organ it spreads to. For example you may have seizures if it spreads to brain.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Now you are scaring me. :-(
In the worst case scenario should it turn out to be Melanoma and seeing as how I have had it for 8-9 months is it curable?
In the worst case scenario should it turn out to be Melanoma and seeing as how I have had it for 8-9 months is it curable?
Brief Answer:
Again, melanoma would be rare
Detailed Answer:
In the worst case scenario, yes, melanoma is often curable. I did not mean to scare you, but this is the reason that we do not like to just watch such lesions. We just can never be certain about the cause until we get a tissue diagnosis. Good luck to you.
Again, melanoma would be rare
Detailed Answer:
In the worst case scenario, yes, melanoma is often curable. I did not mean to scare you, but this is the reason that we do not like to just watch such lesions. We just can never be certain about the cause until we get a tissue diagnosis. Good luck to you.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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