Is this skin cancer on my forehead? (Photo)

Question

What is this on my forehead?? It appeared a few days ago and now I'm freaking myself out. It's a little sensitive to touch and feels like a patch of dry skin. Side note: I know I have awful skin. Lots of sun damage, sun spots, etc so this is why I'm extra worried about this just popping up. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear mlp9531,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are concerned, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Matthew Hand, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I would need to examine the area and take a biopsy in person in order to accurately diagnose. Tumors like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma located on the head and neck region are best treated with Mohs micrographic surgery. This surgical technique is tissue-sparing while simultaneously providing the highest curate for these tumors. This response is not medical advice, there’s no substitute for an in-office evaluation, you should see a board-certified Mohs surgeon.

Amy Y. Paul, DO, FAAD · Answer

Thanks for your question and all the photos.  It is not possible to make a diagnosis in a forum such as this.  With your fair skin type and amount of sun damage, you should be seeing your dermatologist at least annually, and always use good sun protection - a hat and physical blocking sunscreen every day.   I would definitely recommend calling your dermatologist and making an appointment so they can evaluate this lesion and make a diagnosis.  Please see an expert, and best of luck!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Screening for skin cancer really isn’t appropriate on real self. I suggest making an appointment with a local dermatologist who can help you diagnose and treat.Based on the size of the area if this really showed up with very little lead time than the chance of it being a skin cancer is pretty low. If it in fact has been there for a long time and has gradually become larger then it may represent a basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma‘s are the most common form of skin cancer and happen frequently in fair skin people with a lifetime of sun exposure. They are rarely dangerous to the point of Causing serious threat. Basal cell carcinoma’s do you need to be taken seriously and do you need to be treated. They generally do not spread to other parts of the body and a really more of a nuisance. If left untreated they can become locally destructive and require complex surgery. If treated early they can sometimes be completely cured with a simple treatment like freezing them with liquid nitrogen. Waiting until they get larger is something that should be avoided.Your skin type and history of sun exposure puts you at risk for skin cancer’s especially over a lifetime.I suggest getting this checked out within the next couple of weeks.A dermatologist will either do a biopsy or make a diagnosis based on its appearance. if diagnosed by inspection or biopsy as a basal cell they would most likely recommend having it removed. if diagnosed as not being a skin cancer then a dermatologist can discuss possible ideologies and treatment options.It’s not something to lose sleep over but definitely something to not ignore.Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

Is this skin cancer on my forehead? (Photo)

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