skin lesion

[brendaramirez3]

I was recently referred to a dermatologist for a sore that was on the front calf area of my leg the sore has gotten to be extremly painful. It stands of the surface with almost like a white head to it however it is very painful, the left side gets very hot to the touch while the other side gets cold, pressing abouve this sore is almost like as if it were bruised from being hit with a baseball bat. The dermatolgist said that it was necesarry to take biopsy right now, he preformed the procedure there in the office, I then asked if he had an idea of what it could be - he wrote on a piece of paper, dermatofibroma and also added that was harmless and could start with a bug bite or other minor injury. I came home checking around for dermatofibroma, and then found links and misdiagnosed patients of this that were melanoma, i am very concerned knowing that from what i can find dermatofibroma doesnt cause problems, and this sore on my leg is definatley causing issues. can anyone give some advice I don't know that I can wait for the biopsy result. thank you any opinons would be helpful

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,

I do understand you worries about the differential. But not until the biopsy result is out that the diagnosis will be made. Dermatofibroma is just a differential and not yet conclusive. If you do not have risk factors for melanoma such as family history or exposure to too much ultraviolet light, fair skin or freckleckling, there is nothing to worry about. This link may be helpful: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/melanoma/DS00439/DSECTION=risk-factors

Take care and keep us posted with the result.