Differential Diagnosis for Eyebrow Lesions
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Seborrheic keratosis: A common, benign skin growth that can appear on the eyebrows, often due to aging and sun exposure. It is usually pigmented and has a waxy or stuck-on appearance.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Basal cell carcinoma: A type of skin cancer that can occur on the face, including the eyebrow area. It often appears as a small, shiny bump, but can be pigmented and resemble a lesion.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: Another form of skin cancer that can present as a firm, red nodule or a flat sore with a scaly crust, potentially in the eyebrow area.
- Melanocytic nevus (mole): A benign growth of pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Moles can appear anywhere on the body, including the eyebrows, and are usually harmless but can be a concern if they change in size, shape, or color.
- Wart (verruca vulgaris): Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), warts can appear on the face, including the eyebrows, and are typically rough, hard, or flat growths.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Melanoma: Although less common, melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that can appear as a new or changing mole. Early detection is crucial, making it a "do not miss" diagnosis due to its potential lethality if not treated promptly.
- Lymphoma (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma): A rare type of cancer that affects the immune system and can cause skin lesions, including in the eyebrow area. It's essential to consider this diagnosis to ensure timely and appropriate treatment.
Rare Diagnoses
- Dermatofibroma: A rare, benign skin growth that can appear after a minor injury, typically on the legs but can occur elsewhere, including the face.
- Keratoacanthoma: A low-grade, or sometimes considered benign, tumor of the skin that resembles a small volcano. It can appear on sun-exposed areas, including the face.
- Trichoepithelioma: A rare, benign tumor of the hair follicle that can appear as small, skin-colored bumps, potentially in the eyebrow area.
- Cylindroma: A rare skin adnexal tumor that can appear as small, pinkish nodules, often on the face, including the eyebrows.