Recently Answered Questions
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Does radiation therapy increase the risk of melanoma?
Query: Hi doctor, 21 years ago, my friend had radiation therapy for a very small breast cancer. In the recent years, breast areola becomes dry. Biopsies revealed no cancer. She was followed closely by an oncologist and a dermatologist with number of tests. Recently, a mole appeared in the areola region. Th... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Post radiation therapy, the skin does suffer a burnt both immediate as well as on a long term. Dryness, itching leading to oozing and crusting are very common complaints after radiotherapy and can start as late as 15 to 20 years too after the treatment. Radiation ther... Read Full »
When are the chances of recurrence high in cancer?
Query: Hi doctor, I just found out I have squamous cell skin cancer on my thumb and nail that has moved to my thumb bone. Most skin on my thumb tip to nail bed is gone, and bone is exposed on the inside half of my thumb. How bad is this, and please do not hold back? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern and will help you with it. Various factors like the stage, grade, location, any co-morbid conditions determine the overall prognosis of the squamous cell carcinoma. Diameter of more than 2 cm doubles the risk of recurrence while tripling t... Read Full »
What kind of marginal excision is best for a superficial basal cell carcinoma?
Query: Hello, I have moles on my hand, and it bubbles when exposed to the sun. I did a biopsy, and the result came back as superficial basal cell carcinoma. I am a fair skin person with maximum sun exposure. Do I need surgery with wide margins, or will smaller margins be fine? Thanks. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. The resection margin for BCC (basal cell carcinoma) depends on various factors, including type and size of BCC, histology, site, etc. Based on these factors, BCC is divided into low and high-risk carcinoma. Superficial BCC is a histolog... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, I need an assessment for suspected moles in a person who had basal cell carcinoma and is removed by excision. After a month, a red spot was seen beside the excision area. First, it was flat and red, later turning to light pink and swelling. The two moles are on the scalp. It was smaller i... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It could be a recurrence of basal cell carcinoma as margins may not have been excised. Therefore, it needs examination with dermoscopy to make a definitive diagnosis. If moles change in size and color or spread, that means it is becoming malignant. Therefore, ... Read Full »
My mother has a round mole in the eyebrows. There is no itching. Is it harmful?
Query: Hi doctor,My mother is a 69-year-old hypertensive patient taking medications. She has a round mole around the eyebrow. There is no itching. I have attached the images, is this dangerous? Read Full »
Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.From the image attached (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity), mole appears harmless. Does she have signs like increase in size, changes in shape or color, itching, pain, bleeding and ulceration? Read Full »
What is the red spot on my nose?
Query: Hi doctor, I have had a red like spot on my nose for a few months and would like to get it looked at. It does not bleed or change shape. I think it has been there for a couple of months. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your case. Well in my opinion this red spot does not look ordinary to me (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It is highly suspicious lesion as its margins look rolled up and it is present on sun exposed site as well. I am not scaring yo... Read Full »
I have a sore on my leg for a long time with a history of cancer. What could it be?
Query: Hello doctor, I have sore on my leg for a long time. More than a year, I did shave part of my leg at one point. It became like a sore, but I have a strong history of cancer. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your case. In my opinion, your lesion should be biopsied as early as possible as you have a long-standing history of cutaneous cancer, and I fear it could be slow-growing skin cancer. I have two to three differential diagnosis. 1. Nodular squamou... Read Full »
Will scratching a mole affect the biopsy report?
Query: Hi doctor, Six weeks ago, I noticed a mole on my back. There was no itching or redness. But, I scratched it and went to the Urgent Care Clinic. The doctor said it looked like an irritated nevus. Then, during a shower it came off completely and left a flat area. Within a few weeks, it reappeared. Now... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your query and concern. With your descriptions it seems that you have melanocytic nevus. Scratching or healing would not affect the outcome of the biopsy. In a biopsy for making a diagnosis of BCC (basal cell carcinoma) we need to see basaloid cell... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, I have a mole on the right side of my face. It is uneven, weirdly colored, has no clear lines and bleed easily if scratched. I have a lot of moles in my scalp but none like this. Could it be melanoma? If it is not then can I just scratch it off? I wish to know your opinion. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your photos (attachment removed to protect patient identity). As per experience only two skin diseases looks like this. The first one is of course melanoma and the second is seborrheic keratosis. The main signs and symptoms of melanoma are ... Read Full »
What is the possibility of spots on the face, chest, shoulders, and penis to turn cancerous?
Query: Hello doctor, I have a few spots on my face, chest, shoulders, and penis of concern. On the face, I have two spots, one on my forehead, small, slightly raised. Bled at one time, but has not changed in at least one to two years. Another on the right of my nose. It gets irritated and recently bled... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Let us first come to face spot. This papules could be angiofibroma or BCC or nevi. Angiofibromas are benign growths, and they occur due to the proliferation of blood vessels so that they can bleed rarely. BCC is malignant, but it is rare to get for your age. But as t... Read Full »