Benign Skin Lesions Flashcards
What is the appearance of seoborrhoeic keratoses?
Warty growths
Stuck on appearance
Variable appearance
Patients may or may not have several cherry angiomas
What is the treatment for seborrhoeic keratoses?
Generally left untreated but if troublesome - cryotherapy / curettage
What is cryotherapy?
Liquid nitrogen
What are the pros and cons of cryotherapy?
•Pros
–Cheap
–Easy to perform “on the day”
•Cons
–Can scar
–Failure/Recurrence
–No pathology result
What condition does a rapid onset of seborrhoeic keratoses indicate? (particularly in a younger individual)
Leser - Trelat
SK’s remain benign but may indicate underlying solid organ malignancy
GI adenocarcinoma
What are these?
They have a rough hyperkeratotic surface
They are viral warts (due to the human papilloma virus)
What is the treatmet of viral warts?
Tend to be difficualt to treat
- Will clear when immunity developed to virus
- Cryotherapy or wart paints can stimulate immune system slightly
- Can curette in severe cases
What is this?
(encapsulated lesion containing fluid or semi-fluid material)
Firm and fluctulant
Cysts
What are different types of cyst?
Epidermoid
Pilar
Steatocystoma - genetic predisposition - may be treated with isotretinoin
What risks are associated with cysts?
Can rupture and cause inflammation of surrounding skin
May become secondary infected
What are the treatments of cysts?
Treated with excision
If inflamed / infected:
- Antibiotics
- Intralesional steroid
- Incision and drainage
What is this?
(described as a benign fibrous nodule - often on limbs)
Dermatofibroma
The proliferation of what type of cell causes dermatofibroma?
Fibroblasts
The cause is unknown, they are sometimes attributed to an area of trauma
What are the features of dermatofibroma?
Firm nodule, tethered to skin but mobile over fat
Pale/pink brown
Often paler centre
Dimple sign positive
Usually asymptomatic - can be itch or tender
Excision if concern or symptomatic
What is a lipoma?
It is a benign tumour consisting of fat cells