Changing pigmented lesion

Question 1

What may be the cause of a changing pigmented lesion?

Answer 1

Can be benign- melanocytic naevi, seborrhoeic wart or malignant (Malignant melanoma)

Question 2

What is a melanocytic naevi?

Answer 2

A melanocytic naevus (American spelling ‘nevus’), or mole, is a common benign skin lesion due to a local proliferation of pigment cells (melanocytes). It is sometimes called a naevocytic naevus or just ‘naevus’ (but note that there are other types of naevi). A brown or black melanocytic naevus contains the pigment melanin, so may also be called a pigmented naevus.

Question 3

When do people develop melanocytic naevi?

Answer 3

Not usually present at birth but they do develop during infancy, childhood or adolescence
Asymptomatic

Question 4

What is the management of melanocytic naevi?

Answer 4

Only needed if symptomatic

shave or complete excision performed

Question 5

What is a seborrhoeic keratosis?

Answer 5

Seborrhoeic keratosis is a harmless warty spot that appears during adult life as a common sign of skin ageing. Some people have hundreds of them.

Seborrhoeic keratosis (American spelling - seborrheic keratosis) is also called SK, basal cell papilloma, senile wart, brown wart, wisdom wart, or barnacle.

Question 6

How do you treat seborrheic keratosis?

Answer 6

Only need to treat if symptomatic
Curette and cautery
Cryotherapy