An 82-year-old female has a "pimple" on his nose that occasionally bleeds and may have increased in size in the past year.The lesion is a 0.7-cm,dome-shaped,umbilicated papule with pearly translucence.There is also a hemorrhagic crust covering the central portion.Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The description of a dome-shaped, pearly papule with an umbilicated center and a tendency to bleed is classic for basal cell carcinoma, which is a very common skin cancer that typically occurs on sun-exposed areas of the face. Squamous cell carcinoma can also present as a crusty lesion that bleeds, but it tends to be more scaly and less pearly in appearance. Keratoacanthoma is a type of squamous cell carcinoma that can mimic a benign cyst or tumor, but it typically grows rapidly and regresses spontaneously. Finally, sebaceous hyperplasia is a benign condition that typically appears as small, yellowish bumps on the face, but it is not usually associated with bleeding or changes in size.

An 82-Year-Old Female Has a "Pimple" on His Nose That