How do I recognize the symptoms of skin cancer on my scalp?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have a small pink growth on my scalp. I noticed this about ten months ago. It does not seem to have changed much, if at all, in that time. However, I recently noticed the skin around the area is a little bit dry and red. There seems to be hair growing out of the pink spot. It is not painful. It does not bleed and has not been itchy.

Is there any chance that this could be a basal cell carcinoma or other types of skin cancer? I want a dermatologist to check it to see if it needs further investigation. I am taking blood pressure medication. I have attached the picture.

Kindly help me.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand that you are concerned. Papules over the scalp are sometimes difficult to diagnose, especially without a skin biopsy. A few differential diagnoses are a benign appendageal tumor of the scalp, originating from hair or sweat, or an apocrine gland. There are several variants of these, and it is difficult to differentiate clinically. A skin biopsy is necessary.

A pseudolymphoma may last for this long. These are inflammatory lesions with various causes, from medicines to insect bites. And finally, yes, we need to rule out the malignant part. And the only way to do that is a skin biopsy.

I know you would have loved to hear that it is not some form of malignancy. And it does not look like this to me at this time (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), but the final diagnosis can only be made with histopathological examination.

I hope this was helpful.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

There is no harm in waiting a few weeks unless it is growing fast suddenly, which is not. Also, other things to look for are the sudden change in color, size, ulceration, bleeding, etc. As none of these are present, and it looks benign now, I think you can wait for a few weeks before the biopsy.

Please get back in case of further doubts.

Thank you.