Could this be skin cancer or something quite innocent

See the doc - that is all you can do. 99% of these skin lesions are harmless, but you are right to get it checked out.

You are doing the correct thing, albeit late. Hopefully all will be well.

You don't say if your calf feels hot or warm? If so I strongly recommend that you visit your local hospitals walk in centre before Monday because these are all typical symptoms of a DVT. Deep vein thrombosis.

I had an itchy, scaly dry patch appear on my face about 3 years ago. I treated it with various creams to no avail. Finally went to the doctors and was told it was solar keratosis, basically damage caused by exposure to sun.
I'm very pale skinned, never been a sun worshipper or used a sunbed so was quite surprised. I was given Diclofenac gel which removed the damaged layers and nice healthy skin has grown back with no scarring at all.
Try not to worry but do get it checked as soon as you can.

fiorentina51 sounds like the same thing,I've never been a sun worshipper either,I'm very fair skinned(celtic) and avoid the sun ,Thanks I'll maybe relax a wee bit now before Mondays appointment

?Mine was about the size of a 5p and slap bang in the middle of my cheek!

The edges of skin cancer lumps are very uneven/jagged. It seems an unlikely place for it, but you are right to see a doctor.

I've had several solar keratoses 'frozen' off by the GP. Stings like nothing on earth initially, but does the job eventually.

I found a skin lesion on my breast of all places which had never been exposed to the sun! Panicked because I am a hypochondriac and saw GP post haste who referred me to dermatologist. Waited 5 months for appt and it turned out to be.......a wart!

Happy to report the doctor doesn't believe its anything to worry about ,prescribed some cream and said to go back if it hasn't cleared in a week or so ...phew !!

?Great news!

What great news paddyann! Glad the wait is over.

I saw a doctor several years ago about a growth on my chest. Nothing to worry about said he. I mentioned it to another doctor earlier this year and I was fast tracked to have it removed (by burning off) and a biopsy taken. A squamous cell carcinoma.

I had one of those on my face Anya. My GP said it's called Bowen's Disease and is caused by sun so I have to wear suncream and keep out of the sun as much as possible in summer. She burned it off too but I didn't have a biopsy.

I was just about to reply to your OP paddyann So glad to hear your update. We are always quick to tell someone else they should see a doctor but when it comes to ourselves....

I found a tiny little pink lump at the top of my leg at the beginning of last year. I decided (with my doctors head on), that it was nothing and so left it. In fact actually no, I will tell the truth and admit that I picked at it until it bled a lot, then it seemed to dry up and almost disappear. It came back twice the size and again (with my doctors head on) I decided it was nothing and so began a cycle of picking/bleeding (I know.....).

Fast forward to this spring the little lump was quite big and eventually I thought I had better see a real qualified doctor who took one look at it and insisted that it was removed asap. I ended up having a small chunk of leg taken (sorry for the gory detail) and then worse, ended up with an infection (thank you to the wonderful GN members who persuaded me that it was infected and that I should see my GP quickly). It was indeed very infected and was high risk of Sepsis. the doctor ordered the stitches straight out (hurt like hell as it was hugely swollen) and a course of strong antibiotics. I now have have a nasty scar at the top of my leg and a horrible "feeling" that I can't describe.

Some of us are silly when it comes to putting things off.

I have a rough spot on the back of one calf which I can't see myself. I eventually went to the doctor and he told me it was just a harmless lesion.

Starbird...the edges of a cancerous growth are not necessarily jagged. I had malignant melanoma and it looked nothing like the pictures you see...beautifully symmetrical, smooth and no pigmentation BUT it had a slight pink ring around it and it itched.

You know the answer to that - GO AND GET IT CHECKED ...

there are lots of conditions which are not dangerous at all, like a granumloma anulare for instance - but what if- just not worth waiting, because time can make all the difference.

GO !

oooops paddyann - will teach me to read right through a thread (been away for about a month) - hurrah.

My father had a few red patches on his hand which were very itchy and few lumps on his skin. When he consulted with the doctor, the doctor suggested to go for the biopsy. He was diagnosed with skin cancer. He is now going through the radiation therapy at Advanced Radiation Center(http://www.advancedradiationcenters.com) to cure his skin cancer.

Rosario Hope your DF is ok, please make sure he has plenty of &

That's a private treatment centre then Rosario?

In the US?

Fortunately, we have the NHS to sort this kind of thing out.

paddyann, please go and see your GP again, if it doesn't go.

I've had 4 malignant melanomas over 12 years.....all looked totally different. I cope now by seeing a dermatologist every six months who checks me all over. It took a while to build up a good relationship,but I've found it's the one way I've been able not to panic,or put off getting checked.