Benign and Premalignant Skin Lesions Flashcards
For a lot of these, probably worth looking them up to get a proper idea what they look like. Remember, all of these are benign.
What does seborrhoeic keratoses look like?
Warty growths, can have a ‘stuck on’ appearance
Seborrhoeic keratoses can generally be left untreated but what can be done to them if they are proving the be troublesome?
Cryotherapy
Curettage
->patients often want them removed but cannot be done on the NHS is not causing any harm. Can be removed if being irritated by a necklace etc
Cryotherapy?
Liquid nitrogen
What are the pros and cons of cryotherapy?
Pros- cheap, easy to perform on the day
Cons- can scar, failure/reoccurrence, no pathology result
What is meant by the sign of Leser-Trelat?
Abrupt appearance of multiple seborrheic keratoses caused by an associated cancer and the rapid increase in their size and number
->important to note that the actual SKs remain benign but can indicate solid organ malignancy
Which virus causes viral warts?
Human Papilloma Virus
What is the treatment for viral warts?
Difficult to treat but do not really need treated as will clear when the patient develops immunity to the virus
Cryotherapy or wart paints can be used to stimulate the immune system slightly
Cyst?
Encapsulated lesion containing fluid or semi-fluid material
They are usually firm and fluctuant
Common
What happens if cysts rupture?
Can cause inflammation of surrounding skin
Can become secondarily infected
How are cysts treated?
With excision
What is the treatment if cysts become inflamed?
Antibiotics
Intralesional steroid
Incision and drainage
What do dermatofibromas look like?
Firm nodule, tethered to skin but mobile over fat
Pale pink/brown, often paler in the centre
Usually asymptomatic but can be itchy or tender
Why are dermatofibromas known as being dimple positive?
If you squeeze the skin around them, there is a dimple in the centre
What causes a dermatofibroma?
Proliferation of fibroblasts
What is a lipoma?
Benign tumour consisting of fat cells
Lipomas are usually symptomatic. What would be queried if they were tender?
If it was an angiolipoma or liposarcoma
Angioma?
Overgrowth of blood vessel in the skin due to proliferating endothelial cells
When are angiomas more commonly seen??
In pregnancy
In liver disease (especially spider naevi)