Differential Diagnosis for a Skin Lesion of 13 Months Duration
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Benign melanocytic nevus: This is a common, harmless skin growth that can appear at any age, including childhood. The long duration of the lesion without significant change suggests a benign nature.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Wart (verruca vulgaris): Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), warts are common in children and can persist for months to years.
- Molluscum contagiosum: A viral skin infection that causes small, pearly, or flesh-colored bumps, often seen in children and can last for several months.
- Dermatofibroma: A benign skin growth that can appear after a minor injury, often presenting as a firm, round, brownish to purple growth.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Melanoma: Although rare in children, melanoma is a deadly skin cancer that requires early detection. Any changing, irregular, or pigmented lesion should be evaluated for melanoma.
- Basal cell carcinoma: The most common form of skin cancer, which is rare in children but can occur, especially in those with significant sun exposure or genetic predispositions.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: Another form of skin cancer that is rare in children but can occur, particularly in areas of chronic inflammation or sun exposure.
Rare Diagnoses
- Congenital melanocytic nevus: Present at birth, these moles can be large and have a higher risk of developing into melanoma, though they are rare.
- Juvenile xanthogranuloma: A rare, benign skin condition that can cause yellowish lesions, often appearing in early childhood.
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A rare disorder in which the body accumulates too many immature Langerhans cells, leading to skin lesions among other symptoms.