Ask a doctor on the topic of Dermatology

Skin cancer

May 4, 2011 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg

Hello everyone,

I kindly ask for an evaluation of the pigment spot on the palm of my hand. Currently 2 mm in size. Is this a case for the scalpel, or rather harmless? Unfortunately, I have no idea how long it has been there.

Dr. med. Ralf Berg

Hello,

at first glance rather harmless and not for the scalpel

Unfortunately, "no idea" how long it has been there, probably also not remember whether a small injury or bruising with the hollow hand suffered 6-14 days ago.
Differential diagnosis would simply be pigments after a small hematoma.
(Images are not quite sharp, but there is the impression that pigments are distributed along the skin creases)

In general: Melanomas (malignant skin cancer) only metastasize after penetrating depth into the skin over 2-3 mm, but are usually already 4-6 mm in size.

Proposal:
1. Observe if further rapid growth occurs
2. if curious, try a salicylic-containing skin cream (can be made/dispensed by a pharmacist) to remove the top layers of skin (exfoliation). If the pigments disappear, they were just discolorations. If not:
Take another picture of the spot in as high a magnification as possible and feel free to ask.

Conclusion: initially no danger, observe, and if necessary, carry out proposal 2.