Scar tissue due to biopsy

[adrenaline]

Hey Doctor Rockoff,

I went to see the dermatologist because I suspected I might have a genital wart. (It was a little pink dot on the underside of my penis that wouldn't go away). The doctor performed a biopsy just to be sure. He literally scooped the whole thing out with a scalpel and said not to worry, it would heal perfectly and there would be no scar. Needless to say, six weeks later there was a raised purplish scar about the size of a pea that was painful to the touch. I went back into the dermatologist and he said that happens only a small percentage of the time and he was sorry. He gave me two cortisone shots (in the penis and said that will bring the discoloration down to the point where it is undetectable. My questions are the following:

1) Will the purple color fade?

2) Will the raised scar even out or am I doomed to be disfigured?

3) Will the pain disappear?

Obviously there's something underneath the scar, a little hardened mass. Does cortisone dissolve this? How long should it take? Did the doctor do something wrong? Should I go to a different doctor?

I'd really appreciate your candid advice!

(I'm bummed because I didn't need a biopsy in the first place. It could have been treated as if it were a wart. Which it, in fact was)

Bummed in L.A.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The purple color will fade, but may take a few months (see my previous answer today.)  The raised scar will be dissolved as well, but again may take some time.  Best to leave the area alone (not squeeze, examine it, etc.)  The pain will go away as well.  No need to avoid sex, etc.

The "hardened mass" underneath the scar is scar tissue.  Again, best to leave it alone.

The underside of the penis is not the most common place for warts.  That's probably why he did the biopsy.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff