Papule

Is this pearly papule cause for concern?

Case:

During a routine skin examination, a papule of several years' duration is noted on the upper lip of a 71-year-old man. The patient states that the lesion has been slowly enlarging; it does not bleed even during shaving.

What does this look like to you?

A. Basal cell carcinoma.
B. Squamous cell carcinoma.
C. Seborrheic keratosis.
D. Melanocytic nevus.
E. Wart.

 


 

Case: Basal cell carcinoma

The pearly, translucent papule suggested a skin cancer. A biopsy confirmed the clinical impression of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), A. Squamous cell carcinomas usually are more nodular and have a keratotic core. Seborrheic keratoses typically have a pasted-on appearance and feature identifiable keratin plugging. Intradermal nevi are not translucent and do not contain the telangiectasia often seen in BCC. Generally, BCCs bleed easily; however, this one did not. The lesion was excised successfully.