A Doctor’s Own Experience with Aggressive Skin Cancer
Eight years ago I developed a very slowly growing spot which became a nodule. There was a dimple or crater in the top, and the edges had a pearly appearance. Small blood vessels were [...]
Why Isn’t My Actinic Keratosis Responding to Efudex?
Have you been religiously applying Efudex to your actinic keratosis lesions but after several weeks, nothing has happened? […]
What Cancer Other than Melanoma Causes Hutchinson’s Sign?
If you see what appears to be Hutchinson’s sign in a fingernail or toenail, your first thought might be melanoma skin cancer. […]
What Cancer Other than Melanoma Can Affect a Nail?
Subungual melanoma is a cancer affecting a fingernail or toenail and often has a poor prognosis. However, melanoma isn’t the only cancer that can affect a nail. […]
How Fast Actinic Keratosis Turns into Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Actinic keratosis Though most squamous cell carcinomas were once actinic keratoses, most AK’s will not turn into cancer. However, it’s impossible to predict which lesions will eventually begin undergoing a malignant transformation. [...]
Should Blacks Do Monthly Self-Exams for Skin Cancer?
Don’t let the media’s portrayal of skin cancer patients fool you. Blacks and other dark skinned people need to do monthly self-exams because they too can get any of the three major skin cancers: [...]
Can an Irritated Skin Tag Turn into Cancer?
Skin tags are common and depending on their location are prone to irritation including bleeding. Can an irritated skin tag, however, actually transform into cancer such as melanoma? […]
Do Dark Skinned People Ever Get Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Even though basal cell carcinoma is a skin cancer heavily associated with sun exposure among Caucasians, those with dark skin can still get this disease. […]
Should Very Dark Skinned Children Wear Sunscreen?
It’s definitely important to apply sunscreen on your very dark skinned child, says a dermatologist who specializes in patients of color. Sunscreen advertisements always show fair skinned people putting it on. Advertising is very powerful, [...]
Nonsurgical Skin Cancer Treatment: In-Office, Great Cosmetic Results
If you have squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma, there is an in-office alternative to Mohs and other surgery that yields appealing cosmetic results. […]
Bump Under Eyelid: Skin Cancer or Chalazion Cyst?
What are the hallmark features that would point towards skin cancer vs. a chalazion cyst if you have a bump under the eyelid? Many people quickly think of cancer when they discover a “bump” somewhere [...]
When a Skin Sample Is Sent for Biopsy: Handling the Anxiety
It’s just plain total anxiety when a skin sample is sent off for a biopsy, especially when you did not expect this to happen, and all you can think of is “What if it comes [...]
What Percentage of Actinic Keratoses Become Squamous Cancer?
There’s a percentage range of actinic keratoses turning into squamous cell carcinoma, which is why these seemingly harmless skin lesions should never be ignored. Furthermore, the appearance of very early squamous cell carcinoma can mimic [...]
Panicking Over a Diagnosis of Actinic Keratosis?
If you’ve just been diagnosed with actinic keratosis, you probably already know that this is precancer and may be panicking. […]
Can People Ever Smell Skin Cancer?
Have you been sniffing at that strange mole or patch on your skin to see if you could smell something odd that might mean cancer? Melanoma produces a distinctive odor that some dogs can detect. [...]
How Likely Is a Scab in the Nose that Won’t Heal Skin Cancer?
There are three kinds of skin cancer that can grow inside the nose and present as a scab that won’t heal. “Any scab that does not heal normally after one month should be evaluated because [...]
24 Conditions that Mimic Melanoma to the Naked Eye
Some melanoma mimickers are other forms of cancer, but most are benign. Many people will present to a doctor with what they fear is melanoma, when in fact, it turns out to be a benign [...]
When Cancer Can Mimic an Earlobe Pimple: Know the Signs
The earlobe can be affected by all sorts of tiny bumps that can look like pimples, but bumps can also be caused by cancer: five kinds that have the potential to resemble pimples. One of [...]
Hard Pimple that Won’t Go Away After 2 Months May Be Cancer
The warning is real: A hard “pimple” that’s still there after a few months with no sign of going away may be a deadly cancer. "The most concerning things that can present in this manner [...]
Causes of Lots of Squamous Cell Carcinomas in a Short Time Period
Squamous cell carcinoma is a potentially fatal skin cancer that can arise in multiple locations in a rather short period of time. Most deaths are believed to occur in the elderly, who are more likely [...]
Can Skin Cancer Come and Go?
The answer to the question if skin cancer can come and go is rather tricky. Skin cancer coming and going would refer to malignant cells being there one day and then withering away shortly after [...]
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer Questions Answered
What is squamous cell carcinoma? It’s the second deadliest skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma, which is directly tied to sun exposure, kills about 3,500 Americans yearly. […]
Flaky Dry Patches on Forehead: Causes, Solutions
A flaky dry patch on your forehead might be a precursor to skin cancer, says Kally Papantoniou, MD, FAAD, with Simply Dermatology in NY. But it can also be a benign condition called seborrheic dermatitis. [...]
Persistent Red Rash on Cheeks: Doctor Explains
“The development of a rash on the cheeks, indicated by bumps, swelling and redness to the skin, is the result of the body’s natural inflammatory reaction,” says Dr. Jennifer Gordon, who is board certified by [...]
Actinic Keratosis Appearance vs. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma can look similar; in fact, an actinic keratosis can turn into a squamous cell carcinoma. Some doctors even believe they are one and the same, just at different points along [...]
Can a Mole Turn into Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Normal mole under magnification Can a normal mole ever turn into squamous cell carcinoma, which kills about 3,500 Americans every year and is considered the second-deadliest of all skin cancers? It's a good [...]
