Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Red spot on forehead in 65-year old
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.
Red spot on forehead in 65-year old
by Tatjana, Jan 27, 2007 12:00AM
Dear Dr. Rockoff,
It is about my father who developed a spot on his forehead about 1-2 yrs ago, now 1cm in diameter. It is pale red, not quite smooth to touch, but no extensive scaling either, it looks like the tiny capillaries are visible, although I cannot be sure that those indeed are the capillaries. It seems that the spot has gotten slightly bigger when I saw my father last. He has been exposed to sun a lot, but always tanned well. Please, take a look at the photo (for some reason, whenever I upload the photo it shows up blurry despite my efforts to resize, etc, so I hope the problem is in my comp. and that you will be able to see it clearly). Of course I am worried about BCC or squamous cell carcinoma, but unlike very much advertised melanoma, I know very little about the appearance of these skin cancers, therefore I hope that you can help. Many thanks for your advice.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/BlueRose_011/red_mark-1.jpg
It is about my father who developed a spot on his forehead about 1-2 yrs ago, now 1cm in diameter. It is pale red, not quite smooth to touch, but no extensive scaling either, it looks like the tiny capillaries are visible, although I cannot be sure that those indeed are the capillaries. It seems that the spot has gotten slightly bigger when I saw my father last. He has been exposed to sun a lot, but always tanned well. Please, take a look at the photo (for some reason, whenever I upload the photo it shows up blurry despite my efforts to resize, etc, so I hope the problem is in my comp. and that you will be able to see it clearly). Of course I am worried about BCC or squamous cell carcinoma, but unlike very much advertised melanoma, I know very little about the appearance of these skin cancers, therefore I hope that you can help. Many thanks for your advice.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/BlueRose_011/red_mark-1.jpg
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jan 28, 2007 12:00AM
, Jan 28, 2007 12:00AM
It may be a solar keratosis, a precancerous sunspot. However, it may also be a basal cell carcinoma or a squamous cell carcinoma. While these are not as serious as melanomas, they do need to be treated. So what you need to do is have your father see a dermatologist, who can perform a biopsy and treat as needed. Since this has been there for 1-2 years, I'd do this sooner rather than later.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (2)
by Tatjana, Jan 29, 2007 12:00AM
To: Dr. Rockoff
Thank you for your advice. I will send my Dad immediately to the dermatologist. One additional question I would like to ask you: Could dermoscopy help set the diagnosis in this case?
