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Dermatology  (Expert Forum)
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Dome Shaped Reddish Bump on Chest
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.

Dome Shaped Reddish Bump on Chest

by Kirkay, Jun 11, 2007 12:00AM
Hello, I am a 43 year old white male who has a question about a bump (mole?) on my chest.  It is reddish in color and symmetrically dome shaped.  Size is about 3-4mm (smaller than a pencil erasure).  There is no other discoloration around it.  I have had it (as far as I know) for about four years and there has been no noticable growth.  It does not bleed or itch nor has it changed color since I first noticed it.  I wouldn't even be asking but a friend said I should get it checked out as it may be nodular melanoma (he said this was due to the shape/color and the fact that it showed fairly recently).  Since it takes about six months to get an appointment with the dermatologist, I was wondering if I should try to speed up the process if there is a chance it is melanoma.  Since I thought melanoma was a fairly fast moving cancer, I would think I would have more symptoms by now.  I would appreciate your thoughts and advice on this.  

Thank you

by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jun 12, 2007 12:00AM
6 months!

I'm sure you realize that I can't do more than guess without seeing this bump.  From your description, the odds are great that this is a mole and not a nodular melanoma.  But there's no substitute for being seen.  So I advise you to call for a cancellation, or just badger the dermatologists in town until you get seen, so you can most likely forget about it.  Being pushy can be helpful sometimes.

6 months!

Dr. Rockoff
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