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Quick Summary

  • A 77-year-old man was referred from CHI Franciscan Urgent Care in Burien for an urgent growth on his right ear and began treatment within 48 hours.
  • The growth had been present for six months, continued enlarging, and sometimes bled; he attempted to remove it himself but stopped due to heavy bleeding.
  • The clinic removed the lesion under local anesthesia and tested it onsite, confirming within 30 minutes a rapidly growing giant squamous cell cancer with potential to metastasize.
  • He opted for Electronic Brachytherapy instead of Mohs surgery, requiring 8–10 three-minute treatments rather than 30–40 visits elsewhere.
  • The post advises seeking prompt professional evaluation for abnormal growths, since only a clinician can determine whether a lesion is benign.

Recently, a 77-year-old gentleman (accompanied by his ex-wife) came into our clinic seeking treatment for a growth on his right ear. He had been seen at the CHI Franciscan Urgent Care Clinic in Burien, and they referred him to us for urgent treatment. Within 48 hours, he was undergoing treatment in our clinic.

Even though the patient’s growth had been on the top of his right ear for six months, he thought it would eventually go away on its own. However, the growth continued growing and even began bleeding at times. Eventually, he tried removing it on his own, but it bled profusely, causing him to stop his attempt.

Once in our clinic, we immediately removed the lesion under local anesthesia and sent it for a quick examination in our own lab. Within 30 minutes, we were able to inform him that he had a rapidly growing giant squamous cell cancer with the potential to metastasize. His ex-wife immediately broke into tears, but we reassured her that he had an excellent chance of recovery under our care, although he would need to have his lymph nodes examined as soon as possible.

Instead of doing Mohs Micrographic Surgery, he chose to have the lesion treated with Electronic Brachytherapy in our clinic, which can rid him of the lesion in 8 to 10 simple 3-minute treatments (as opposed to other clinics or hospitals requiring 30 to 40 visits).  Needless to say, after a consultation with my associate, Dr. James Brashears, he was eager to begin treatment.  And, as an added bonus, Medicare covered his entire treatment.

Lesson: Please seek immediate treatment for abnormal growths, even if you are convinced you are not in danger.  Only a professional can know for certain if your growth is benign or not.

Ease your mind; contact us at 206-248-5020 (Burien) or  425-455-5111 (Bellevue) for any abnormal growth you have.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a new or changing growth needs urgent evaluation?
Any growth that is enlarging, bleeding, crusting, painful, or not healing over a few weeks should be checked promptly. Lesions on the ear and other sun-exposed areas deserve extra attention because skin cancers can behave more aggressively there. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to be evaluated than to “watch and wait.”
We examine the lesion and discuss how long it’s been present, how it has changed, and any bleeding or trauma. If it looks concerning, we may remove part or all of it under local anesthesia and send it to the lab. In some clinics, a rapid pathology review can provide answers the same day, which helps guide next steps quickly.
Skin lesions can have deeper roots and a significant blood supply, so cutting or picking at them can cause heavy bleeding and infection. More importantly, self-removal can delay diagnosis of skin cancer and may make later treatment more complicated. It’s best to have suspicious growths evaluated and removed in a controlled medical setting.
Your clinician will examine nearby lymph nodes and may recommend imaging if the tumor is large, rapidly growing, or located in higher-risk areas like the ear. In some cases, a lymph node ultrasound, CT scan, or referral to a specialist is appropriate. The goal is to stage the cancer accurately so treatment can be tailored to the actual risk.
Mohs is often chosen when tissue preservation and immediate margin confirmation are priorities, particularly on cosmetically sensitive areas. Electronic brachytherapy can be a good option for selected patients who prefer a non-surgical approach and can complete a short series of brief treatments. The right choice depends on the tumor’s size, depth, pathology features, and your overall health; coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by insurance, including Medicare.

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