Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Bump In Inguinal Area, Oval Shaped, Black Lesion, Pustular Lesion, Infected With Staph, Had Benign Tumor. Is It Lymphoma?
Hi! I've got a bump in my left inguinal area which is oval in shape and about 2cm x 1 cm. The skin over the bump is very smooth and a bluish-grey hue with a black circular lesion in the middle which is only about 1mm in diameter. The skin over this black spot seems to be slightly rougher, but it is not ulcerating and I can't tell if it's umbilicated.
The bump first appeared over a year ago, maybe even two years, and I want to say that it began as an ulcerating erythematous pustular lesion (like a pimple, perhaps infected with staph) although it's been awhile so I can't say for certain. Regardless, it has not been swollen or pruitic since the initial erythema resolved over a year ago. It really hasn't changed much during that time either. It's possible it's gotten ever, ever so slightly larger, but I really can't say. It also seems as if that black spot at one time used to be deeper under the skin (but faintly visible) and is now at the surface as I mentioned earlier.
I have no sexual history and my PMH is not significant for anything other than a benign parotid tumor about 7 years ago. I'm a medical student spending my third year in a small community away from home and there aren't really any physicians out here that I'd feel comfortable showing/asking about it (since I'm rotating with most of them). My biggest concern is that it could be a lymphoma or some other sort of cancer, but I'm not certain about this presentation (namely the coloring).
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. It's something that's been concerning me for a while now.
The bump first appeared over a year ago, maybe even two years, and I want to say that it began as an ulcerating erythematous pustular lesion (like a pimple, perhaps infected with staph) although it's been awhile so I can't say for certain. Regardless, it has not been swollen or pruitic since the initial erythema resolved over a year ago. It really hasn't changed much during that time either. It's possible it's gotten ever, ever so slightly larger, but I really can't say. It also seems as if that black spot at one time used to be deeper under the skin (but faintly visible) and is now at the surface as I mentioned earlier.
I have no sexual history and my PMH is not significant for anything other than a benign parotid tumor about 7 years ago. I'm a medical student spending my third year in a small community away from home and there aren't really any physicians out here that I'd feel comfortable showing/asking about it (since I'm rotating with most of them). My biggest concern is that it could be a lymphoma or some other sort of cancer, but I'm not certain about this presentation (namely the coloring).
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. It's something that's been concerning me for a while now.
Tue, 27 Aug 2013
Hello and welcome to HCM,
An inguinal swelling occurs most commonly due to lymph node enlargement.
The blue-black discoloration of the overlying skin with a black circular lesion can be due to infection or some kind of skin lesion.
An aspiration cytology of the lesion is required.
This investigation will sample the cells of the lesion.
The cells are stained and examined microscopically.
The origin and character of the lesion can be determined by examining the cells of the lesion.
Lymph node enlargement can occur due to inflammation, lymphoma or a melanoma as suggested by black discoloration of the skin.
Malignancy is accompanied by weakness, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
A preceding history of infection of the urinary tract, lower limb can cause inflammatory enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
An inguinal swelling occurs most commonly due to lymph node enlargement.
The blue-black discoloration of the overlying skin with a black circular lesion can be due to infection or some kind of skin lesion.
An aspiration cytology of the lesion is required.
This investigation will sample the cells of the lesion.
The cells are stained and examined microscopically.
The origin and character of the lesion can be determined by examining the cells of the lesion.
Lymph node enlargement can occur due to inflammation, lymphoma or a melanoma as suggested by black discoloration of the skin.
Malignancy is accompanied by weakness, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
A preceding history of infection of the urinary tract, lower limb can cause inflammatory enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Melanoma
Loading Online Doctors....