From the Guidelines
Benign skin growths are non-cancerous lesions that appear on the skin and are generally harmless, and most do not require treatment unless they cause discomfort, become irritated, or are cosmetically bothersome. Common types of benign skin growths include skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, moles, warts, and cherry angiomas. For removal, options include cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), electrocautery (burning), shave excision, or surgical excision 1. It's essential to have any changing, bleeding, or painful growths evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out skin cancer, as early detection is crucial for effective treatment.
Some key factors to consider when evaluating benign skin growths include:
- The appearance of the growth, including its size, shape, and color
- Any changes in the growth over time, such as an increase in size or a change in color
- The presence of any symptoms, such as itching, bleeding, or pain
- The patient's medical history, including any previous skin cancers or risk factors for skin cancer
Regular skin examinations can help monitor existing growths and identify any concerning changes, and public education campaigns can raise awareness about the importance of early detection and self-referral for suspicious lesions 1. However, it's crucial to prioritize sensitivity over specificity to avoid missing any potential melanomas, which may lead to some element of overreferral 1.
In terms of management, surgical excision is the treatment of choice for most cutaneous lesions, allowing for full characterization of the tumor and assessment of treatment margins 1. The excision should be performed with a scalpel rather than a laser or electrocoagulation to avoid tissue destruction and ensure accurate histological examination 1. The histopathological report should include the diagnosis, confirmation of malignancy, and assessment of histological prognostic factors, such as the thickness of the lesion and the clearance of the margins 1.
Overall, while benign skin growths are generally harmless, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks and to prioritize early detection and effective treatment to minimize morbidity, mortality, and improve quality of life.
From the Research
Benign Skin Growths
Benign skin growths, such as seborrheic keratosis, are common and can be found on various parts of the body. Some key points about benign skin growths include:
- Seborrheic keratosis (SK) is a common, benign tumor that can occur on any body site and can be conservatively managed 2.
- SK shows male gender preponderance and increasing age is an independent association with the condition 2.
- Cosmetic concerns, especially when a lesion involves the facial area, are the most common reason for excision of SK 2.
Treatment Options
There are several treatment options available for benign skin growths, including:
- Cryosurgery: a safe and effective method for removing benign lesions, including seborrheic keratosis, with high cure rates 3, 4.
- Electrosurgery: a method that can be used to remove sebaceous hyperplasia, cherry angioma, and skin tags, with high patient and physician satisfaction 4.
- Topical agents: such as 40% hydrogen peroxide, which can be used to remove SK lesions with minimal adverse effects 5.
- Laser application: a method that can be used to remove SK lesions, with fewer side effects compared to other methods 2.
Diagnostic Challenges
Diagnosing benign skin growths can be challenging, especially when they resemble malignant lesions. Some key points about diagnostic challenges include:
- Seborrheic keratosis-like melanoma is a diagnostic challenge, as it presents both melanoma and SK features, and can be clinically indistinguishable from SK 6.
- Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) can be used to study the dermoscopic features of SK-like melanoma and aid in diagnosis 6.
- Biopsy with histologic examination is essential for confirming the diagnosis of SK-like melanoma 6.