Mrs. Hu, a 65-year-old woman from Ningbo, Zhejiang, had a small birthmark on her scalp. She began dyeing her hair over a decade ago due to the appearance of white hair. However, six months ago after dyeing her hair, she noticed a wound and felt a stinging sensation on the left side of her scalp. Despite applying medication for two months, the wound did not heal. It wasn’t until she visited the hospital for an examination that she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.
Mrs. Hu has had a birthmark on her scalp since birth. Over a decade ago, she began dyeing her hair due to the appearance of white hair, dyeing it approximately twice a year. Six months ago, she felt a slight stinging sensation on the left side of her scalp while dyeing her hair. Upon examination by her hairstylist, a small raised mole with a tiny break on the surface was discovered on Mrs. Hu’s scalp.
Initially, Mrs. Hu thought she had accidentally scratched her scalp. She applied ointment bought from a pharmacy, but after two months, the wound still hadn’t healed, accompanied by discomfort. She underwent a skin biopsy at a local hospital, and the result showed basal cell carcinoma. Mrs. Hu, a 65-year-old woman from Ningbo, Zhejiang, had a cancerous transformation on her scalp “birthmark”.
Dr. Wang Jian, Deputy Director of the Dermatology Department at the Li Huili Hospital of Ningbo Medical Center, explained that Mrs. Hu’s “birthmark,” accurately termed as a congenital sebaceous nevus, underwent cancerous transformation due to repeated stimulation. Ultimately, he arranged for Mrs. Hu to undergo radical excision surgery for the malignant tumor.
Dr. Wang stated that basal cell carcinoma is a type of cancerous transformation originating from basal cells of the skin, often occurring in older individuals, with the head, face, neck, and dorsal hands being common sites. Mrs. Hu’s localized cancerous transformation of the congenital sebaceous nevus on her scalp was most likely due to prolonged hair dyeing, irritating the skin.
It is understood that hair dyes contain potentially carcinogenic substances such as para-phenylenediamine, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, aromatic hydrocarbons, synthetic pigments, etc. Dr. Wang Jian, Deputy Director of the Dermatology Department, reminded that prolonged external stimulation can lead to the malignant transformation of moles. One should avoid scratching, squeezing, or applying pressure to moles and pay attention to the cleanliness of the surrounding skin, as well as sun protection when going outdoors.
As for why the tumor only grew on the “birthmark” rather than the entire head, Dr. Wang Jian explained that after each hair dyeing session, trace amounts of ingredients would be absorbed into the body through the skin, especially during rainfall, hair washing, and sweating. The congenital sebaceous nevus with poor structure on Mrs. Hu’s scalp happened to be a natural weak spot, absorbing more related ingredients in that area, thus exposing issues earlier.
Dr. Wang Jian reminded that malignant transformation of moles is not uncommon, and prolonged external stimulation can lead to it, such as frequent friction, scratching, squeezing, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, etc. Moles located in areas prone to friction, such as the soles of the feet, belt area, palms, etc., have a relatively higher risk of malignant transformation. People should avoid scratching, squeezing moles, pay attention to the cleanliness of the surrounding skin, and protect themselves from the sun when going outdoors.