Can a doctor tell if something is skin cancer by just looking?

3 Comments

1. The mom says:

   November 30, 2009 at 12:57 pm

   To an extent, yes a doctor can tell some things based on appearance and experience. Skin cancer doesn’t usually have a red appearance, nor does it generally itch or burn. You wouldn’t be surprised if the doctor told you a rash was hives, and you could trust the diagnosis without having to have a biopsy done. This falls into that same category. You can also get a diagnosis from a simple skin scraping, without having to remove a patch of skin at all, in a lot of skin disorders. Most skin cancer starts with a mole or freckle, and not just a random patch of skin. So your doctor would be able to make a good diagnosis based on appearance and experience, yes.
2. Tarkarri says:

   November 30, 2009 at 12:57 pm

   Most skin flaws a Dr will be able to answer a definite yes or no to skin cancer.
   There are some that fall into the "suspicious" category, which means they need a biopsy to be done.
   It sounds like yours does not even fall into the "suspicious" category.

   It sounds more like an allergy or reaction from your description.
3. HeatherR says:

   November 30, 2009 at 12:57 pm

   See a dermatologist if you have a sore or scab that doesn’t heal in about two weeks or a flat patch of scaly skin that won’t go away. There are local skin cancers that appear as red, flaky patches (Squamous cell carcinomas).