Question

A 78-year-old man presents to the ED with a concern about a bump on his head that has been present for several months, but has recently changed in appearance. The lesion is shown above. Which of the following is this patient at risk of developing?

A) Basal cell carcinoma
B) Kaposi sarcoma
C) Malignant melanoma
D) Squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 1

The bump on the patient's head is most likely Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), a common form of skin cancer. BCC occurs in the basal cells of the epidermis and is typically found on sun-exposed areas of the body. It can be cured with a biopsy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bump on the 78-year-old man's head is most likely a Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). BCC is a form of skin cancer that occurs in the basal cells of the epidermis.

It is the most common form of skin cancer and is usually found on areas of the body that are exposed to the sun, such as the head, neck, arms, and back. BCCs can appear as pearly or waxy bumps and are generally cured with a biopsy, where the lesion is cut out of the skin and analyzed in a medical lab.