Please help. Just found this on my dad's back.

[sprigatito]

My dad's partner died of cancer a few days ago, he and I were with her when she died, and I've brought him home with me until the funeral (and probably permanently). He's got Alzheimer's and his partner was his carer. He's been looking pained and twisting his shoulder, he said it's just a spot, but I made him show me his back and found this. It looks just like the squamous cell carcinoma he's had removed before, only it's enormous. He's lost weight and is pale and more vague and breathless than usual, but I thought it was just grief

This is really fucking bad, isn't it? He survived stage 4 lymphoma in 2017 and has a heart condition. I have a doctor calling me back from 111, but should I just take him to A&E?

Give both dimensions if you can.
If you cant, give the measurement of the main lump, and then add 'redness spreading outwards'.

I had to be a temporary patient at a GPs once. Got seen that day. Hope same for you.

Gosh you're really going through it. Easier said than done but try not to overthink and take each day at a time, starting with a GP appointment tomorrow.
It sounds like you're being a wonderful support to everyone, which must be draining, so try and take care of yourself too.

For the photo put a 15cm ruler down his spine and take like your zoomed out photo. It doesn't have to by accurate or really close to the lesion.
I'm sorry for all you’re going through. I hope you can get some help tomorrow.

If you’re going down the ruler route just make sure the ruler is in shot next to it somehow.
So sorry you’ve been through so much 💐
Take it one day at a time.

Hopefully a basel cell carcinoma. That's what it looks like to me. Excision and a good prognosis. Fingers crossed for you. Love and good wishes x

Hi OP, my DH has secondary cancer at the moment and one of his symptoms is multiple skin metastases. This doesn't look a lot unlike his lumps, but it could just as likely be an infected cyst, so don't lose hope yet. I'd speak to the GP urgently tomorrow so they can get him referred for diagnostic tests/scans.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it's not anything nasty.

I'm sorry about your DH, that must be incredibly tough. Thank you for the crossed fingers

I'm sorry you're all going through this. I hope you're able to get some sleep tonight and to. I wonder if it would be best to go into the doctor's surgery with him for opening time tomorrow and ask for an emergency face to face same day appointment. You sitting there with him may prompt them to get him an appointment. All the best.

Draw a line around the areola (sp?) With an ink pen so you can see if the redness increases in the next 48hrs while waiting to see a Dr. Fingers crossed its just an infection and he'll be back to it after some antibiotics xx

I’ve had an infected cyst, this does not look anything like it.

@Mirabai what do you think it looks like?

Sending you a big hug op.
Hope your dad is seen by the gp tmrw

@sprigatito it definitely looks like a boil/carbuncle or a long untreated cyst - they can occur for lots of reasons (blocked hair follicle, ingrown hair, infected insect bite) and for no apparent reason all. They don’t all look alike due to factors like the underlying cause, location and how long they’ve been left untreated.

If you’ve the stomach for it you can google images (not recommended, if I’m honest 🤢). Your dad’s lump looks similar to many of the images there, so please do not panic. Wait until it’s been triaged by a professional. I’m sure 111 will have him booked in to see someone first thing in the morning.

Also sending a hug X

GP asap.Insist on referral to dermatologist asap.Definitely not a cyst .

Oh God, you've got so much going on. Just wanted to add my good wishes to the others here. I hope your dad gets seen tomorrow and it turns out not to be something easily treatable. It's understandable to jump to the worst possible conclusion, especially when your defences are depleted, but there are other explanations. Take it one day, one hour, one minute at a time x

I couldn’t say, I’m not a doctor, let’s hope it’s a large cyst, but given your father’s history I’d think it could be a skin lymphoma.

So sorry about everything you are dealing with. I hope this is a cyst of some benign description. Sending strength x

Oh fuck, I've never heard of skin lymphoma. With his history of non-Hodgkins lymphoma that does sound quite likely. Fuck.

I’m sorry for all what you are going through. My son’s London Dermo suggested this dermatology website as a good resource for all things skin.

https://dermnetnz.org

Afaik that’s not what skin lymphomas normally look like - they can look like red rashes, or the type that cause lumps would cause multiple lumps.

Just sending love to you OP.
I know MN can be a godsend at times like this. I am sorry you are going through all of this. Sending love and light

OP I'm so sorry about the awful time you are having. I think 111 right away and they can advise what to do. I would assume they would get you seen by someone straight away if he is not near he's usual GP.

Possibly a keratoacanthoma. Needs a careful examination with a dermascope and onward urgent referral by a GP

I had an infected sebaceous cyst that looked exactly like this. I hope it's nothing more for your dad.

I disagree with others, especially if he’s not close to home, I would absolutely go to a&e. But where we are nothing ever gets done unless a&e force it. I had a family member recently who was covered in blisters that looked like third degree burns, the gp sent him straight to a&e. A&E tried to send him home but his DD refused. Sadly he never left. While he was there he had numerous possible diagnosis. It was only after he died did they find out the cause.

Please don’t wait.