Benign Skin Lesions

Lisa Publicover
August 2005
 Skin Lesions

Skin Lesions

Benign Malignant

Nevus Keratosis Verruca Fibroma Hemangioma

 Benign Skin Lesions
 Nevus (a.k.a – Mole)
 Keratosis
 Verruca (a.k.a – Wart)
 Fibroma
 Hemangioma
 Nevus
 Sometimes referred to as a
mole
 A well circumscribed mass;
usually brown
 Rarely undergo malignant
changes
 Classified by appearance
and depth
 One type of nevus has the
potential to become
malignant. It is called a
dysplastic nevus
 Risk Factors for
Malignant Change
Bleeding
Discharge
 Size change Greater than 20 nevi
Dysplastic Nevi
 Colour change Family History (Familial Atypical
Mole Syndrome )
 Elevation change
 Boarder change
 Abnormal sensation
 UV light exposure
 Dysplastic Nevi
 Less well-
circumscribed
 Varying shades of
pigmentation
 Often display ABCD
features (asymmetry, irregular
boarder, colour change and a large
diameter)
 Keratosis

Keratosis
Seborrheic Actinic Keratoacanthoma
 Seborrheic Keratosis
 Raised Papular Lesion
 Light brown to dark
brown
 Smooth or pitted
 Low risk of malignant
change
 Treatment Options:
 Cryosurgery
 Scraping/Curetting
 Cauterization
 Actinic Keratosis
 Brownish-Red
 Rough
 Irregular shape
 Usually found on sun-
exposed skin
 Potential for Malignant
change
 Treatment Includes:
 Cryosurgery
 Curettage
 Topical 5-FU
 Excision
 Rapidly growing
Keratoacanthoma
 Elevated lesion with a
central crater or ulceration
 Regress without treatment
 Usually last ~ 4-6 months
 Develops from abnormal
growth of a hair follicle
 Associated with sun
exposeure and damaged
skin
 Verruca
 a.k.a – Wart
 Self-limited
 Associated with viral
infection
 Often found on the hands
and feet
 Treatment Options:
 Cryotherapy
 Laser vaporization
 Excision
 Fibromas

Fibromas
Fibroma Neurofibroma Dermatofibroma
 Fibroma
 A solid lesion
 Located just below the skin surface
 May or may not involve the skin structures
 Dermatofibroma
 A purple-red lesion
 Like an iceberg, in that
there is only a small
portion of the lesion
visible from the skin’s
surface.
 Little-no potential for
malignancy
 Treat only if they cause a
functional impairment
 Neurofibroma
 Well-circumscribed, firm,
grey-tan raised lesion
 A benign tumor
 Neuroectodermal origin
 Often associated with the
genetic condition,
neruofibromatosis
 Hemangioma
 Abnormal collection of
blood vessels
 Most commonly seen in
infants
 Benign, but can have
phases of rapid growth
 Treat only if the lesion
causes a functional
impairment
 Generally self-limited and
regress with time
 Skin Lesions

Skin Lesions

Benign Malignant

Nevus Keratosis Verruca Fibroma Hemangioma