On January 21st, the Central Dermatology Hospital reported two recently discovered cases of skin cancer.
The first case is a 34-year-old female patient who came to the Department of Plastic Surgery, Aesthetic, and Rehabilitation for a pigmented, shiny tumor on her chin.
The patient reported that the tumor initially appeared small, like a pea, and had been present for a long time. However, over the past 6 months, it had gradually increased in size.
Dr. Vu Nguyen Binh from the Central Dermatology Hospital stated that the patient was diagnosed with a pigmented, shiny tumor on the left chin, measuring 0.5x0.5 cm, with clear boundaries from healthy skin.
The diagnosis confirmed that the patient had basal cell carcinoma, both superficial and infiltrative forms.
"We held a pre-surgery consultation and agreed to proceed with surgery to treat the skin cancer for the patient," Dr. Binh shared.
According to Dr. Binh, basal cell carcinoma typically appears in older patients or those who have had prolonged exposure to strong sunlight and chemicals.
Cases of basal cell carcinoma in younger individuals are very rare, except in cases where there is exposure to high-risk factors.
The female patient has worked in an environment with direct exposure to carcinogenic chemicals for the past five years, a high-risk factor that could lead to the disease.
Basal cell carcinoma lesions often resemble moles, and if the person is not a specialist, it is very easy to overlook the lesion. These lesions are similar to moles, so they are often ignored.
The second case involves an 86-year-old male patient who came for a consultation at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Aesthetic, and Rehabilitation with a diagnosis of in situ skin carcinoma.
The patient's medical history revealed that he had a pigmented tumor on the left side of his nose, which was neither painful nor itchy.
Two years ago, the patient visited a hospital in Hanoi, where the diagnosis was unclear. He was advised to undergo laser treatment to remove the lesion, but the pigmented tumor reappeared.
Recently, the lesion began to itch, rapidly increase in size, bleed when squeezed, and develop ulcers and scabs, prompting him to visit the Central Dermatology Hospital for further examination.
Dr. Binh stated that the patient’s pigmented tumor on the left side of his nose had clear boundaries, measuring 1.5x1.2 cm, with a scaly surface. The patient also had several other conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
The diagnosis confirmed that the patient had basal cell carcinoma in the nodular form and was admitted for treatment.
"What's noteworthy is that both patients thought their lesions were just normal spots on their skin, like moles, so even though the lesions appeared and developed gradually over a long period, they didn't seek medical attention or treatment," Dr. Binh said.
In the case of this male patient, the lesion was large and had spread across the entire side of his nose, requiring a relatively complicated surgery to remove the tumor and reconstruct the nasal defect afterward.
Dr. Binh emphasized that people should pay attention to lesions that grow over time, especially those showing signs of ulceration, bleeding, or fluid discharge. It's crucial to seek medical consultation and timely treatment to avoid unfortunate outcomes.
To prevent skin cancer, it’s important to limit exposure to intense sunlight by wearing hats, sun-protective clothing, and using sunscreen.