[AJ32162]

In my opinion dermatology is more art than science, particularly when it comes to visually determining whether or not a skin lesion is cancerous or benign. I have had four skin cancers to date, three of which looked benign on visual inspection by three different dermatologist. The only accurate way to determine if a lesion is cancerous or not is through a biopsy. If performed correctly a biopsy will leave only a minimal scar, barely noticeable. Personally, I would rather have ten too many biopsies than one too few.

I did have a lesion frozen above my right eye about five years ago and it healed completely, or so I thought. Recently, I developed a lesion in the same spot which I had biopsied. The result was a deep basal cell carcinoma which Dr. Casper said had probably been growing for several years. He removed it with MOHS and said the surgery would have been less invasive, had it been detected earlier (five years ago?) through a biopsy instead of being frozen with LN.

So, if a dermatologist has any doubt as to the malignancy of a suspicious lesion, I request a biopsy. The downside is that several biopsies have proven to be unnecessary...and I can live with that as they have left no noticeable scars. Anyone who has delayed treatment for skin cancer can attest to just how destructive and disfiguring it can be. Caught and treated early it is your best chance for a cure and better cosmetic results. Well, that's just one man's opinion, make of it what you will.