Q. Are all skin lesions cancerous?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
No, not all skin lesions are cancerous. While some skin lesions can be caused by underlying malignancies, most of them do not actually indicate presence of cancer. Lesions on the skin can be caused by a variety of different things such as infection, inflammation, trauma or irritation, and some may even be harmless moles. It is important to note that looking at a lesion does not necessarily provide enough evidence for diagnosis with certainty and that further tests such as biopsy may need to take place to conclusively identify it as benign or malignant.
When taking careful examination of any suspicious lesion on the surface it’s important to note their shape (round or irregular), color (uniformity or multiple shades), size (diameter greater than 6mm; continuously growing) and whether they bleed easily if touched. Also other factors like change in sensation around the area like itching or pain should also raise suspicion of potential underlying cause being something more serious than a mere blemish – these are red flags usually indicating need for professional medical attention right away!
The best way to make sure you don’t have an underlying malignancy without seeking professional help is prevention through regular self-examination; this involves close inspection all over your body including areas frequently exposed like face/neck/arms/legs monthly at least one time – checking for any color changes in moles you already have (brownish hue shifting towards black especially), new growths appearing suddenly etc which could all point towards possible development stage cancerous cells present in area under review. Such regular screening habits along with responsible lifestyle choices when it comes dietary habits/exercise levels will ensure any concerning developments get identified before they progress further into dangerous stages so appropriate treatment strategies can commence quickly & effectively too!