• CDC
  • Heart Failure
  • Cardiovascular Clinical Consult
  • Adult Immunization
  • Hepatic Disease
  • Rare Disorders
  • Pediatric Immunization
  • Implementing The Topcon Ocular Telehealth Platform
  • Weight Management
  • Monkeypox
  • Guidelines
  • Men's Health
  • Psychiatry
  • Allergy
  • Nutrition
  • Women's Health
  • Cardiology
  • Substance Use
  • Pediatrics
  • Kidney Disease
  • Genetics
  • Complimentary & Alternative Medicine
  • Dermatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Oral Medicine
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
  • Pain
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Geriatrics
  • Infection
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Obesity
  • Rheumatology
  • Technology
  • Cancer
  • Nephrology
  • Anemia
  • Neurology
  • Pulmonology

Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma on Cheek of a Homosexual Man

Article

“Stippled” pigment is highly typical of a pigmented basal cell carcinoma. Diagnostic contenders include atypical seborrheic keratosis and superficial spreading melanoma.

A 69-year-old homosexual man complained about an asymptomatic “dark spot” on his cheek. The lesion had been present at least 6 months. His medical history included rare actinic keratoses.

Key points: Physical examination disclosed a solitary, nearly flat patch, below and lateral to the right eye. The abnormal-appearing area was characterized by small areas of intense pigment. This is often referred to as “stippled” pigment and is very typical of a pigmented basal cell carcinoma. However, a biopsy was done to confirm this diagnosis and to rule out an atypical seborrheic keratosis or a superficial spreading melanoma.

Treatment: Due to the small size and the patient’s lack of cosmetic concerns, the lesion was vigorously subjected to 2 applications of curettage followed by electrodesiccation.

Note: This type of lesion may occur at any anatomical site, and biopsy confirmation is required.
 

Related Content
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.