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What Causes Raised Pinkish Lump On Forearm?
Question: ! 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 Holiday 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.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee212/kelso47/bump_zpsd81708d5.jpg
I realize that in order to accurately determine exactly what it is I need to visit a dermatologist but until such time as I can will one of you knowledgable Drs. please look at my picture and tell me if you think its BCC, SCC or Melanoma.
To my knowledge (and of course I am not the professional here) but from all I have read on the various skin cancer sites and all of the pics I have seen of the 3 different types BCC looks to be exactly what I may have!
SCC has different characteristics and would be mush larger by now then it is. Lastly Melanoma (again only from my researching ) is supposedly a much darker color such as dark brown or black and not pink like mine is!
Thanks very much for your time and or replies
As a PS I have also read that Melanoma accounts for only 4-5% of skin cancer. That figure I know isnt ZERO % but its very low I think.
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 Holiday 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.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee212/kelso47/bump_zpsd81708d5.jpg
I realize that in order to accurately determine exactly what it is I need to visit a dermatologist but until such time as I can will one of you knowledgable Drs. please look at my picture and tell me if you think its BCC, SCC or Melanoma.
To my knowledge (and of course I am not the professional here) but from all I have read on the various skin cancer sites and all of the pics I have seen of the 3 different types BCC looks to be exactly what I may have!
SCC has different characteristics and would be mush larger by now then it is. Lastly Melanoma (again only from my researching ) is supposedly a much darker color such as dark brown or black and not pink like mine is!
Thanks very much for your time and or replies
As a PS I have also read that Melanoma accounts for only 4-5% of skin cancer. That figure I know isnt ZERO % but its very low I think.
Brief Answer:
Actinic Keratosis(most likely)
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I understand your query and concern.
Diagnosis by gross examination alone is a difficult and challenging part for most doctors.
Clinical examination should always be supplanted with pathological examination.
In my view the image you uploaded seems most likely to be Actinic keratosis (a precursor of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma/cSCC) because of characteristic scaling and crusting in the centre of the lesion(which you are presuming to be scab developed from picking).
Actinic Keratosis can be asymptomatic for many months as in your case. Typical location is an exposed body part like a limb(forearm in your case).
Continuous sun exposure is not essential for these lesions to develop, although sun rays with UVB are supplemental in producing AK.
Basal cell Ca is unlikely as it presents with characteristic central burrowing morphology.
Malignant melanoma is quite unlikely by its appearance. Its rapidly growing and involves visceral organs at its early stage.
Hence this could be Actinic Keratosis.
Post your further queries, if any.
Thank you.
Actinic Keratosis(most likely)
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I understand your query and concern.
Diagnosis by gross examination alone is a difficult and challenging part for most doctors.
Clinical examination should always be supplanted with pathological examination.
In my view the image you uploaded seems most likely to be Actinic keratosis (a precursor of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma/cSCC) because of characteristic scaling and crusting in the centre of the lesion(which you are presuming to be scab developed from picking).
Actinic Keratosis can be asymptomatic for many months as in your case. Typical location is an exposed body part like a limb(forearm in your case).
Continuous sun exposure is not essential for these lesions to develop, although sun rays with UVB are supplemental in producing AK.
Basal cell Ca is unlikely as it presents with characteristic central burrowing morphology.
Malignant melanoma is quite unlikely by its appearance. Its rapidly growing and involves visceral organs at its early stage.
Hence this could be Actinic Keratosis.
Post your further queries, if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
G/morning Dr,
Thank you for your reply and courtesy.
Let me ask this......... I have read (and perhaps I read too much) that Actinic Keratosis is generally non life threatening so to speak but should none the less be looked after and removed.
IF your examination is correct is Actinic Keratosis something that will eventually lead to SCC or will it continue to remain as Actinic Keratosis?
What % of Actinic Keratosis turns into SCC?
Again not to put words into your mouth this does NOT appear to be Melanoma does it?
Thanks
Thank you for your reply and courtesy.
Let me ask this......... I have read (and perhaps I read too much) that Actinic Keratosis is generally non life threatening so to speak but should none the less be looked after and removed.
IF your examination is correct is Actinic Keratosis something that will eventually lead to SCC or will it continue to remain as Actinic Keratosis?
What % of Actinic Keratosis turns into SCC?
Again not to put words into your mouth this does NOT appear to be Melanoma does it?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
AK rarely converts in SCC
Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir.
Good to have you back.
Actinic keratosis per se is not life threatening.
If possible they should be removed at the earliest.
Actinic keratosis can take any 1 in 3 paths.
They can regress,they may persist or unchange or convert into invasive SCC.
The third is the least common path of the three.
01-10 % of cases of AK can go into invasive SCC.
Most cases of AK do not convert into SCC,but many cases of SCC have pre existing AKs.Hence for this sole reason,many of the diagnosed AK are indicated for removal.
This is unlikely to be melanoma in your case due to following reasons.
Melanomas show frequent asymmetry in shape.
They show frequent changes in the border,colour,and diameter .
These high frequency variations are absent in your case.
To be affected with melanoma,an individual should have serious significant exposure to sun,or serious sun tans in the childhood.This is once again contradicting your clinical history.
Above all most of the melanomas are dark blue/black to purple in colour,which is not the case in you.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
AK rarely converts in SCC
Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir.
Good to have you back.
Actinic keratosis per se is not life threatening.
If possible they should be removed at the earliest.
Actinic keratosis can take any 1 in 3 paths.
They can regress,they may persist or unchange or convert into invasive SCC.
The third is the least common path of the three.
01-10 % of cases of AK can go into invasive SCC.
Most cases of AK do not convert into SCC,but many cases of SCC have pre existing AKs.Hence for this sole reason,many of the diagnosed AK are indicated for removal.
This is unlikely to be melanoma in your case due to following reasons.
Melanomas show frequent asymmetry in shape.
They show frequent changes in the border,colour,and diameter .
These high frequency variations are absent in your case.
To be affected with melanoma,an individual should have serious significant exposure to sun,or serious sun tans in the childhood.This is once again contradicting your clinical history.
Above all most of the melanomas are dark blue/black to purple in colour,which is not the case in you.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX for your reply.
I have up-loaded another picture and this was before any plaque or scabbing took place.
Does this pic help to perhaps substantiate your idea that it may indeed be Actinic keratosis as you mentioned?
Thanks in advance.
I have up-loaded another picture and this was before any plaque or scabbing took place.
Does this pic help to perhaps substantiate your idea that it may indeed be Actinic keratosis as you mentioned?
Thanks in advance.
Brief Answer:
Actinic keratosis most probably.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir.
Good to have you back.
Sir, i have gone through your new pic.
I still feel this goes in favour of Actinic keratosis.
The lesions are typically red initially with mild degree of scaling in the center.This seems so in your new pic
The lesions are usually raised above the skin surface.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Actinic keratosis most probably.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir.
Good to have you back.
Sir, i have gone through your new pic.
I still feel this goes in favour of Actinic keratosis.
The lesions are typically red initially with mild degree of scaling in the center.This seems so in your new pic
The lesions are usually raised above the skin surface.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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