Is this serious I have a black flat mark on my penis - #10729
Chief Complaint: Flat, oval, dark brown to black mark on the penis, present for over 4 years. History of Present Illness: The mark appeared after a childhood infection on the penis. The patient was uncircumcised during the infection, and later circumcised manually by hand. The mark has been stable in size and shape for many years. No pain, itching, bleeding, or discharge has been reported. The mark may become slightly irritated when touched or rubbed frequently. The patient has no other skin lesions or systemic symptoms. No family history of skin cancers or unusual moles. Physical Examination (Based on Image Review): Location: Penile shaft (exact position not stated). Shape: Oval and symmetric. Color: Uniform dark brown/black. Surface: Flat, no scaling or ulceration. Border: Well-defined. Size: Estimated from images, appears small (you may measure it with a ruler or coin for exact mm size). Appears unchanged for several years.
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Doctors’ responses
The described lesion on the penis appears to be a benign pigmented lesion, most likely a melanotic macule or a post-inflammatory hyperpigmented patch, given the following:
Benign Features:
Stable over 4+ years
Oval, symmetric shape
Uniform dark brown/black color
Flat, well-defined borders
No symptoms (pain, itching, bleeding)
No systemic signs or family history of melanoma
History of local inflammation/infection – post-inflammatory pigmentation is common
Likely Diagnosis:
Penile melanosis (also called penile lentiginosis or melanotic macule) – a benign condition characterized by flat, pigmented spots on the penis, often post-inflammatory and not linked to malignancy.
Differential Diagnosis:
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (from childhood infection)
Melanocytic nevus (mole)
Fixed drug eruption (if related to past medication exposure)
Early melanoma (less likely but must be ruled out due to location)
Next Steps / Recommendations:
1. Dermatologist Evaluation – Especially if any recent changes, even if minor.
2. Dermatoscopy – A non-invasive tool to examine pigmentation patterns.
3. Biopsy – Only if any change in size, border, color, or symptoms arise.
4. Photographic Monitoring – Helpful to track changes over time.
Reassurance:
Based on the history and image review (if examined), the lesion has many characteristics of a benign pigmented penile lesion, and there’s no immediate concern for cancer. However, monitoring and professional review are encouraged for confirmation.
Hello bhupen looks like you have improperly healed scar mark which get irritated due to repeated touch as it is not growing or any redness is not there .it is safe to assume that is harmless For assurance you can get biopsy of that area done by dermatologist
The flat, stable, dark brown mark on the penile shaft with no symptoms and unchanged for years is likely a benign post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or melanotic macule, especially given the history of childhood infection and manual circumcision. However, to rule out rare conditions like penile melanoma or lentigo, it’s best to consult a dermatologist for a dermoscopic examination. A biopsy is only considered if the lesion changes in size, color, border, or becomes symptomatic.
If any of the following occur, prompt dermatological evaluation is needed:
Rapid growth or change in shape/color Bleeding or ulceration Irregular or poorly defined borders Color variation (multiple shades) Itching, burning, or pain Appearance of new similar lesions
Hello dear Please be aware I think that may be melanistic pigmentation which is usually physiological and painless However i still suggest you to please share clinical pic for confirmation and speedy recovery There may be chances of some fungal or viral infection Regards
Based on this information, the dark flat mark on the penis is likely benign if it has been stable in size, color, and shape for over 4 years. A longstanding lesion that hasn’t changed in these aspects is less likely to be a malignant change like melanoma. However, distinguishing benign lesions from potentially harmful ones is crucial for your safety. In general, marks like this could be something as simple as benign melanocytic nevi (moles) that occur on the skin, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that followed previous trauma or infection which you mentioned. Often, if a lesion is symmetric, has a well-defined border, and is uniform in color, these are reassuring features. Given it seems slightly irritated when rubbed, it might be a good idea to avoid unnecessary friction or irritation to prevent any possible inflammation.
However, I must caution that while these characteristics are reassuring, there’s no substitute for a professional examination. I recommend that you have this lesion evaluated by a healthcare provider, preferably a dermatologist, to rule out any possible rare but serious skin conditions like melanoma or penile intraepithelial neoplasia especially if anything does change. Even benign appearing lesions can sometimes need removal if they cause persistent irritation. The dermatologist might perform a dermoscopic examination, which offers a more detailed look at the lesion structure. If they find anything unusual, they might recommend a biopsy to be certain of the diagnosis. If getting an in-person visit is difficult, a teledermatology consultation where you can share images of the mark could also be an option. Always prioritize professional advice over guesses with potential skin lesions, as they can offer personalized, accurate diagnostics and peace of mind.
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