Lesion that looks like basal cell carcinoma has grown

Posted by matthew234 @matthew234, Nov 10 2:04am

I have something on my scalp which looks like basel cell carcinoma. I had the doctor look at a picture of it 5 years ago. He said it wasn’t. But it’s grown about 20 % bigger since then. I don’t see it as urgent bit I’ll have it checked again.

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jc76 | @jc76 | Nov 10 6:20am

@matthew234
Are you seeing a dermatologist? I hope so. If I show something on my skin to my PCP he referes me to dermatology.

If I sent a picture to dermatology through patient portal (I go to Mayo Jacksonville) they will tell me they do not like to make a diagnosis looking at pictures as does not reveal the true "look" of the suspicious area. They will make an appt. for me. Something growing does necessary cancer but needs to be check to make sure it is not.

How expereince with this am I? I have been going to a dermatologist for over 25 years. I have had about 8 BCCs and 1 SCC. I have had so many biopsies done I can't give you a number. All my skin cancer I had MOHS surgery done and all have been successful with no recurrence at cancer site.

I grew up in Florida and in high school how sun burn you got on weekends told your friends how much fun you had over weekend. I then followed this ill informed lifestyle into my 20/30/40 skiing without a shirt for hours, and playing tennis without a shirt on for decaces. I am not paying the price for all those sun burn days.

There are many types of skin cancer other than BCC and SCC.

If you are not seeing a dermatologist I would stronly advise you find one you trust (experienced) and see them. You did not mentioned your age. Most skin cancers show up decades after sun damage. Basal cell is (per my dermatologist) is most likely a cause of sun damage and you mentioned looks like BCC. Do you know what BCC looks like? Have you had BCC?

I can tell you I have been going to a dermatologist for over 25 years and every time I show a suspicious area they say no and/or just burn in off is suspicious to them. But then will show me another spot and say this is suspicious and do a biopsy.

Something growing by 20% is really something you should have in person checked by a dermatologist. I have not seen (not a medical doctor though) seen a BCC grow 20% bigger. But you need to find out what this is and why it has grown 20% bigger.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 10 10:49am

@matthew234 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I echo what @jc76 has already said. Get to a dermatologist and have that spot checked out. Better safe than sorry! Will you come back and let me know what they say, please?
Ginger

matthew234 | @matthew234 | Nov 10 12:38pm

In reply to @gingerw "@matthew234 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I echo what @jc76 has already said. Get to a..." + (show)

@gingerw I will. I live in the uk and there is a free healthcare service called the NHS. It’s a bit slow but for a non urgent case like this it’s ok. I am fairly sure that this spot isn’t immediately life threatening.

zapatoquena | @zapatoquena | Nov 10 1:07pm

At least you don't have an insurance company deliberately blocking your access to care. After an initial misdiagnosis, I had to wait 18 months as a pre-existing condition. Then because it was advanced, they wanted to amputate most of my entire ear.