Skin Cancer Algorithm - Differential Diagnoses of Reddish Colored Lesions

alternative diagnoses to skin/yellow colored lesions		alternative diagnoses to brown/black colored lesions

SCALY		SMOOTH
Actinic Keratosis often multiple on fair skin with chronic sun exposure face, hands, scalp and legs of women often can be felt early on better than seen erythematous, rough adherent scale may be hyperkeratotic, atrophic, occasionally pigmented may be indistinguishable from SCC in situ Bowen's disease (SCC in situ) usually solitary slowly growing reddish patch - well defined but irregular outline may have slight scaling or crusting similar to superficial BCC which has a fine pearly centre unlike sBCC it does not tend to head with atrophy in the centre most remain in situ SCC most develop in sun-damaged skin often shallow ulcer with a red indurated border ulcer frequently covered by a crust may be raised warty reddish plaque Seborrhoeic Keratosis mostly on the trunk well defined, brown, raised, look stuck on to the skin warty surface which is often soft sometimes smooth surface with keratotic plugs inflammation and crusting may occur after trauma Discoid Eczema reddish, scaly, sometimes crusted itchy, coin-shaped, quite well-defined often on extension limbs Psoriasis see Psoriasis Guide.ca for more information Lichen Planus		Keloid Scar/Hypertrophic Scar red, elevated, firm, smooth, shiny commoner in black skin keloids ten to continue to grow hypertrophic scars tend to flatten over years Angioma dome-shaped, bright red, soft, raised Melanoma amelanotic melanoma often red, vascular looking without pigment may have only small flecks of pigment Pyogenic Granuloma

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