MariannNOVA Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 (edited) I have an appointment today at 2pm. Doctor called it 'actinic keratosis' -- (sounds like something that a little mouthwash and flossing would take care of ) - I think less than 1% of them are cancerous - b/c my mom had squamous cell cancer a few years ago, the decision was made to get rid of this today and i will go back in two weeks for a follow up and skin check. Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts --:grouphug: I noticed this yesterday -- it was not there on Sunday. It is about 4" below my armpit (gosh. is there any gracious way of writing THAT?:glare:) on the left side of my body, just slightly above where the bottom of my bra sits. Does that make sense? It is small-ish; it was white and scaly-looking, but it was itchy, and i scratched and now what remains is a pinkish/reddish bump with an indentation in the center. It is perfectly round (which I have read is better than if it were asymetrical) and smaller than a pencil eraser. What concerns me most is that it wasn't there two days ago -- I have a list of dermatologist offices and I am waiting for them to open and I will start calling and find a same day appointment - which some of the practices do say they offer. Sheesh -- it's always something, isn't it?:glare: Ask me how many times I was up in the night googling images. My mom had skin cancer about 7 years ago and she is fine -- but she was 70 when she was diagnosed....and she has baked herself in the sun forever. I've been under a sunbrella slathered in sunscreen for 30 years. Edited August 21, 2012 by MariannNOVA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisamarie Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 My guess? Not a mole but a bug bite or ingrown hair. But that's my guess without seeing a picture just based on your description. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 My guess? Not a mole but a bug bite or ingrown hair. But that's my guess without seeing a picture just based on your description. That's what I thought at first -- of course I immediately thought 'tick' - not going to take a photo - but it looks like a textbook photo of basal cell carcinoma.....sort of.:001_huh: sometimes i hate the internet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 (edited) It could just be a keratosis, I have a few of them. They can look similar to warts, or a patch of slightly raised skin, and be pale colored to black/brown. One on my back where I have been sunburnt sent me to a dermatologist. He took one look and said "age spot." :tongue_smilie: They can itch sometimes, especially if they are in a spot that gets irritated or has friction with clothing. One turned up on my knee last week. Edited August 21, 2012 by Onceuponatime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Now that you got on the internet you'll have to have it checked out. :D :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 Now that you got on the internet you'll have to have it checked out. :D :grouphug: I know. :glare: Going to get showered and dressed and be ready to call for an appointment at 8:30.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 It could just be a keratosis, I have a few of them. They can look similar to warts, or a patch of slightly raised skin, and be pale colored to black/brown. My DH has some of those. He had one that I was positive was some form of skin cancer. The derm looked at it and said it's absolutely nothing to worry about. Could also be a skin tag? They're very common in the underarm/bra area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 My DH has some of those. He had one that I was positive was some form of skin cancer. The derm looked at it and said it's absolutely nothing to worry about. Could also be a skin tag? They're very common in the underarm/bra area. Not a skin tag -- i know what those look like. It's 8:30, the office if open -- i will get an appointment and update here later. Thank you all for sharing and helping to ease my mind.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmaNZ Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Not sure what it is, probably nothing serious. Just wanted to reassure you that BCCs are slow-growing so almost certainly not that. It's melanoma that grows quick and your mole doesn't sound like a melanoma. Hope you get an appointment quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 Not sure what it is, probably nothing serious. Just wanted to reassure you that BCCs are slow-growing so almost certainly not that. It's melanoma that grows quick and your mole doesn't sound like a melanoma. Hope you get an appointment quickly. :iagree:Thank you for the reassurance-- :001_smile: -- I am thinking the same. I go today at 2pm -- :auto: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Now that you got on the internet you'll have to have it checked out. :D :grouphug: :iagree: I recently had to go to the doc because I googled and was convinced of one thing and it turned out to be something else. Quite a relief but still something that needed to be treated. I hope yours turns out likewise. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 :iagree: I recently had to go to the doc because I googled and was convinced of one thing and it turned out to be something else. Quite a relief but still something that needed to be treated. I hope yours turns out likewise. :grouphug: Thank you --yes, I would like that same outcome.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 It could just be a keratosis, I have a few of them. They can look similar to warts, or a patch of slightly raised skin, and be pale colored to black/brown. One on my back where I have been sunburnt sent me to a dermatologist. He took one look and said "age spot." :tongue_smilie: They can itch sometimes, especially if they are in a spot that gets irritated or has friction with clothing. One turned up on my knee last week. :iagree: However, anything that looks strange should be checked out by a dermatologist. I had a ton of sunburns early on (first one before age 1) and I now see mine 2x a year. Anything slightly off, we carve out. It's good that you've got an appointment and it's probably nothing, but it's definitely for the best that you're going in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1bassoon Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Cuz of course, you need something else right now. . . . . :glare: Hope it turns out to be harmless. You've got a grandbaby to get ready for!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 update: Doctor called it 'actinic keratosis' -- (sounds like something that a little mouthwash and flossing would take care of ) - I think less than 1% of them are cancerous - b/c my mom had squamous cell cancer a few years ago, the decision was made to get rid of this today and i will go back in two weeks for a follow up and skin check. Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts --:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Thanks for the update! I hope you continue to get good news on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Thanks for the update! I hope you continue to get good news on this. awww, thank you -- yes, i would like good news. I'm glad i went in as soon as i saw it.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1bassoon Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Happy dance - From the sofa, of course :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Happy dance - From the sofa, of course :) :toetap05:...and that is where you had best stay!!!!!!!:grouphug: R u feeling better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1bassoon Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 (hijacking) Yes, better. lungs clear, but wbc count up, so got a shot of an antibiotic. Resting, drinking. Plus my mom & dad came up to help :) Now you - go get ready for that BABY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 (hijacking) Yes, better. lungs clear, but wbc count up, so got a shot of an antibiotic. Resting, drinking. Plus my mom & dad came up to help :) Now you - go get ready for that BABY! Well, i have been sending layette items for the past 8 weeks -- and i ordered an organic crib mattress and had that shipped last week. And, sunday was the baby shower, in NJ, and i really could not attend so I sent a gorgeous bouquet of pink flowers and pink balloons. And, i have washed hooded towels and washcloths sitting on my dining room table and three more little outfits and two more things so you don't have to put a snowsuit on the baby when he/;she is in the carseat -- i will send those tomorrow. I'm ready!;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Not a skin tag -- i know what those look like. It's 8:30, the office if open -- i will get an appointment and update here later. Thank you all for sharing and helping to ease my mind.:001_smile: It is most likely nothing serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 It is most likely nothing serious. I agree -- with my mom's history though, i am relieved that i got into the office today and now i can wait for the biopsy.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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