Dark Purple Spots Underneath Tongue, Irregularly Shaped Spot On Face, Smoker Since Long. Aging Process Or Concern For Cancer?

Posted on Tue, 3 Jan 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 Answered on

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband is a smoker and has been for about 30 years (he is 44 and in pretty good health otherwise). I have noticed several dark purple spots underneath his tongue. Additionally, he has a new, irregular shaped brown spot on his face. Are these just part of the aging process, or should I encourage him to get this looked at out of concern for cancer?

Answered by Dr. Hema Yadav (7 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for posting your query.

The dark purple spots under the tongue might be normal if asymptomatic and no pain, ulceration accompanied.

Even the brown spot or nevus on face may be a benign age related change. The features of a melanoma are that they are mostly hyper-pigmented lesions, asymmetrical, irregular borders and usually more than five mm or an increasing size.

Smoking does predispose him to cancer. For confirmation of diagnosis you should get him checked by a Dermatologist or an orofaciomaxillary surgeon and be safe than sorry.

I won't say that his symptoms are suggestive of cancer but regular checkups in high risk patients are very much recommended.

Hope I have answered your query. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E