The Case of Red Bumps

An 87-year-old male came through the screening clinic with some "red bumps" on his forehead. They had been present for a while, he had some more on his arms and maybe some on his back. Some were tiny red dots while the others were bigger and more elevated. The lesions were completely asymptomatic. The patient had consulted a doctor at some point, he had been told that these were nothing to worry about. 

The patient was on medication for hypertension and heart disease.

This presentation is consistent with cherry angiomas.

Cherry angioma in an 87-year-old

Cherry angiomas are benign proliferations of vascular channels that are commonly seen in individuals in their forth and fifth decades of life. Occasionally, lesions may be seen in younger people. The reason for their occurrence unknown. 

The size of the lesions can be highly variable. Initially, cherry angiomas are flat. Over time, the lesions increase in thickness and become dome-shaped. 

Removal is only warranted for esthetic reasons. Surgical removal, cryotherapy or electrosurgery are some of the options available.