Is it a Benign Skin Lesion (Sun Spot, Liver Spot, Seborrheic Keratosis) or Skin Cancer?

I recently had a small bump on my nose removed by my dermatologist and sent in for testing. The main reason he checked it was because I reported that it had bled on 3 or 4 occasions. The biopsy report came back as a fibrous papule.

Your article says that a fibrous papule does not bleed. Could you be wrong? Could my biopsy result be in error? We are not talking about much blood here--just a drop or so.

Thanks, Bob

I have an abnormally large number of fibrous papules on my face and neck. 

I have met with dermatologists over the years regarding treatment, and always have different answers, the latest being Fraxel laser, which will cost $6,000, and I've been reading mixed reviews of results from this new treatment.

I'm at a total loss.

Is there anything written about the "best" treatment for these growths?

I would value your opinion.

Thank you.

I would be glad to forward pictures - I do not have any signs of tuberous sclerosis or the like, although was misdiagnosed at Northwestern years ago just because of the amount of papules. 

I have an appointment to see a dermatologist for a bump on my nose. It started as a pimple about a year ago, I could squeeze it and pus would come out. It would go away for a while and then come back. In the last couple of months it comes back and bleeds, but I don't touch it at all. Is it still a possibility that it's a fibrous papule, or could it be cancer? I'm so concerned now I want to call my doctor to get me in today and I have to wait!

I had a fibrous cyst on my back removed last year (which also started as a pimple). Is it possible that I'm just prone to this type of skin malady?

Patients are ever so confused about skin cancer.  About 10 years ago I went to a skin specialist who said I had actinic something and said I should return once a year for skin checkups.  Since then I have grown lots of spots of various colours, sizes, and shapes (red, pink, and multiple brown) up to about 1.1 cm. Each year I grow more and more and they get bigger. 

My doctor has removed one and burnt a couple but he says not to worry about such things.  So are people being simply overscared by a lot of these warnings and, if so, at what point should they worry? 

I can't see a specialist unless referred to by a doctor and I don't want to hound him every single year about my concern over spots he has told me not to worry about.  One sibling has skin cancer, my mother had another cancer and I too developed another type of cancer as well as a pituitary tumour which also continues has been growing every year for 10 years, so I do worry.

At any rate, there are almost no skin specialists in my very large city anyway because the few we did have decided to get into cosmetics instead because they can make more money that way.

It seems that every morning since private practice was lured here in order for the government to attempt to destory free medical care, I have to listen to dozens of disgusting and nauseating ads on the radion and TV saying I will die if I don't look after this problem or that or that. 

These new medical businesses seem to enjoy scaring people to death in hopes of luring business to their medical organizations.   Like most people I'm beginning to lose so much respect for these people and believe all of this hype is done for no reason other than to rob people of their life savings. 

While I do think sites like this are great because I will find them only if looking for them,  I really would like to see those radio and TV ads banned.  All they do is upset, terrify, and anger people with their foolish nonsense which seems to be for no reason other than to make a quick buck.