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Lesion Found on Clinton's Back
Doctors are pronouncing President Clinton in good health as he prepares to leave the White House but say a small, possibly cancerous, lesion on his back needs attention.
The medical report was issued Jan.12 after Clinton underwent a physical exam at Bethesda Naval Hospital in suburban Maryland. It also reported that Clinton's cholesterol had risen above normal, which the president attributed to lack of exercise and too many Christmas goodies.
Dermatologists said they found a small, flat lesion on Clinton's back. ''He's had sun-damage spots before but this is the first time he's had spots suspicious for skin cancer,'' said Dr. David Corbett, retired chairman of the hospital's dermatology department.
Doctors said the spot was ''very suspicious'' for basal cell carcinoma, so it was biopsied, and the test results will be released next week.
''Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer,'' Corbett said. ''It's a little locally growing type of skin cancer, not a threat to his health or anything.
It's a very small spot.'' Doctors said the lesion could be treated on an outpatient basis.
Aside from the lesion and his high cholesterol, they said, Clinton is in good health and ready to resume life as a private citizen.
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