Hello, I'm hoping someone can get back to me to help my anxiety a little. I'm fair-medium skinned (although the area of my problem is very fair from lack of tanning) and I just turned 23 April 12th.

After doing a lot of research and self-diagnosis, I have decided that I indeed have skin cancer. However, I'm having trouble differentiating BCC from Melanoma with the information I've read and the pictures.

My problem is on my lower back on the skin around my tailbone area. This area is below my waist line and would not be in direct sunlight even at the beach or pool. However, I did spend a lot of time in the sun in my youth.

I have a growth slightly smaller than a dime in diameter. It's been extremely slow growing for a very long time (longer than a year) and even has seemed to sort of heal (which is why I was reluctant to worry I suppose).

It seems to have a lot of the specific signs of BCC, it has an outer rim/ridge type structure with an inner darker spot that is slightly lower. The rim area seems pretty symmetrical, it's round in shape. It sometimes flakes and bleeds. I will have months where it will be smaller and condensed, much more flat, and it will not bleed or anything. Then other times it seems to get irritated and start to ooze-bleed (not really a bleed, more of just damp with blood, unlike a cut for example) and flake with skin.

This will subside after time.

I have become increasingly worried about it and decided I need to take action right away. So I am calling to make an appointment to see a dermatologist on Monday, hopeful I can actually get an appointment soon.

My understanding is that BCC is relatively easy to deal with (how much would over a year of neglect increase the probability of serious problems?).

What do you think, is this BCC or could it possibly be Melanoma?

I would be happy to answer any further questions in order to help with the diagnosis. I took a picture so that I could see it clearly (since it's hard to look with the mirror).

What am I in for?

My anxiety level is astronomical because I lost my mother to ovarian cancer in 2001.

I can only tell you about what they will do if it is BCC. I had a BCC on my nose for well over a year. BCC usually grow slow.

After your biopsy if it comes back positive for BCC, they may take out a larger amount till they feel it is all out. I do not know if they will do MOHS, but if you have a choice choose the MOHS.

You may have a few stitches and a small scar later on. Then you just go on as normal.

If it is melanoma, it is a different story. Since you have the bleeding and scabbing off and on, it sounds more like BCC. Is your spot black? It seems like a lot of melanomas turn black.

There are a lot of people on the boards who know about melanoma who can advise you on it. Try not to stress yourself out. I know it is easier said than done.

Thanks for the reply.

The inner spot (which is slightly indented from the outter rim) is much darker, I don't know if I would call it "black" but it is much darker and not my skin color.

The outer part is pinkish and "glazed" like I have read about concerning BCC, so I'm hoping for that.

I hope you made an appointment to see your dematologist today...and of course you realize that it is nearly impossible to 'diagnose' anything over the internet, which in itself can be somewhere that we can get almost 'too much information' causing anxiety levels to go up too high...

I can only guess what might be happening with your mole, yet I do know you are deeply concerned, and I also know you're doing the right thing by making a doctor appointment.

So the question is: will a few days while you wait to see the doctor put you at any more risk than you have been while that mole has been developing? and the answer is: not likely.

Breathe.

The not knowing and the waiting are difficult. Darn near impossible. Breathe. Relax and distract yourself if you can...and check back here when you've seen your doctor.

Wishing you all the best!

My condition turned out to be a Pilonidal cyst and not cancer.