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I have an appointment this morning with my dermatologist to remove a skin formation from my chin. This is the third one that he has had to remove. The lab reports for the previous two came back benign but pre cancerous. He says these were caused by the sun. I can vouch that the initial shot of Novocaine hurts far worse than the removal of the growth! I have had this condition for 6 years.
Keratoacanthomas appear most commonly on the face, forearm, and back of the hand and grow quickly. In 1 or 2 months, they can grow into lumps up to 1 inch (about 2.5 centimeters) wide, after which they usually begin to shrink. They usually disappear within 6 months, often leaving a scar.
Most doctors consider keratoacanthomas to be a form of squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer (Skin Cancers: Squamous Cell Carcinoma). Therefore, doctors often recommend they be treated after performing a biopsy, in which a piece of skin is removed and examined under a microscope. Keratoacanthomas are usually cut out or scraped (curetted).
As you know I am allergic to the sun and have tinted windows in the car and I wear gloves, even in the summer, while driving. I am slathered with sunscreen at all times. I've never had a suntan, never worn shorts or anything sleeveless and I only work in the yard in the evening and even then I wear a hat and long sleeves; a friend gave me an old-fashioned bonnet which I love!
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