Seborrheic keratosis
Skin disease / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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A seborrheic keratosis is a non-cancerous (benign) skin tumour that originates from cells, namely keratinocytes, in the outer layer of the skin called the epidermis. Like liver spots, seborrheic keratoses are seen more often as people age.[4]
Seborrheic keratosis | |
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Other names | Seborrheic verruca, basal cell papilloma, senile wart[1][2]: 767 [3]: 637 |
Multiple seborrheic keratoses on the back of a patient with Leser–Trélat sign | |
Specialty | Dermatology |
Diagnostic method | Based on clinical examination, skin biopsy |
Treatment | Electrodesiccation and curettage, cryotherapy |
The tumours (also called lesions) appear in various colours, from light tan to black. They are round or oval, feel flat or slightly elevated, like the scab from a healing wound, and range in size from very small to more than 2.5 centimetres (1 in) across.[5] They are often associated with other skin conditions, including basal cell carcinoma.[6] Rarely, seborrheic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma occur at the same location. At clinical examination, the differential diagnosis include a wart and melanoma.[4] Because only the top layers of the epidermis are involved, seborrheic keratoses are often described as having a "pasted on" appearance. Some dermatologists refer to seborrheic keratoses as "seborrheic warts", because they resemble warts, but strictly speaking, the term "warts" refers to lesions that are caused by the human papillomavirus.[7]