A doctor has shared a disturbing video that shows the most severe case of skin cancer that he's ever encountered.
Skin cancer remains one of the most common cancers in the United States, with the American Academy of Dermatology Association revealing that one in five Americans will develop the disease in their lifetime.
And while it’s common, melanoma is the deadliest form, making early detection absolutely crucial.
Among the doctors raising awareness is Dr. John O'Bryen, known as ‘skincaredoctor’ on TikTok, who recently stunned his followers by sharing a case that left even him shaken.
“A man came to me last week, concerned about a new lump on his arm. It was red and had been quickly growing in size,” O'Bryen said in his video.
The doctor shared a close-up snap of the suspicious growth using a ‘dermatoscope’, showing that the spot was pink and white in color.
Measuring 4mm on the Breslow thickness scale, which determines the depth of a melanoma from the skin’s granular layer to the deepest point of the tumor, the growth was small but deadly.
On the outside, it appeared as a slightly elevated red lump, but under the microscope, O'Bryen revealed it had “white polarising lines” and “polymorphous vessels.”
He swiftly diagnosed the patient with nodular melanoma, describing it as a dangerous type of melanoma that “grows quickly and causes the greatest fatality.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, nodular melanoma symptoms include a firm, dome-shaped growth on your skin, discoloration, bleeding, itching, and stinging, with the texture ranging from smooth to crusty or rough, like cauliflower.
It is the second-most common type of melanoma, making up around 15 to 20 percent of cases.
In his viral video, O'Bryen highlighted the hidden danger of melanoma, reminding viewers: “Scary! Not all melanomas are brown and black!”
Following the diagnosis, O'Bryen stated: “I performed an excisional biopsy of this and the patient will see a melanoma surgeon and medical oncologist.”
Nodular melanoma most commonly impacts men over the age of 50, but several factors can increase your risk, including a personal or family history of skin cancer, fair skin that burns easily, and spending a lot of time in the sun.
As summer continues and more people spend time outdoors, experts emphasize the importance of checking your skin regularly and seeking medical advice if you notice new lumps, changes in existing moles, or any unusual skin growths.