chancre /shang″kər/ [Fr, canker] , 1. a skin lesion, usually of primary syphilis, that begins at the infection site as a papule 10 to 30 days after exposure to the spirochete and develops into a red, bloodless, painless ulcer with a scooped-out appearance. It heals without treatment and leaves no scar. Two or more chancres may develop at the same time, usually in the genital area but sometimes on the hands, face, or other body surface. The chancre teems with Treponema pallidum spirochetes and is highly contagious. Also called venereal sore. 2. a papular lesion or ulcerated area of the skin that marks the point of infection of a nonsyphilitic disease, such as tuberculosis. Compare chancroid. See also syphilis.
