For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 17, 2001
Statement by the Press Secretary
On Friday, December 14th, as a follow-up to the President's physical
examination in August of this year, four small benign skin lesions were
identified on the President's cheeks, forehead and
temple. The lesions were treated and removed with liquid
nitrogen in the White House physician's office. The lesions
on the President's cheeks are very early actinic keratoses (also known
as "AK's"), similar to those identified and treated during his August
physical examination. The two on his forehead and temple are
seborrheic keratoses and were frozen incidental to the "AK's."
Given the prevalence and benign nature of the lesions, standard
procedure is freezing the lesions with liquid nitrogen. No
biopsies were indicated, nor were any taken. It is not
uncommon to notice redness, darkening of the lesion, or peeling of the
skin (similar to a sunburn) after freezing. As is
recommended for all individuals with a history of, or anticipating,
significant sun exposure, the President routinely uses sunscreen and
receives periodic evaluations.
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