Multiple seborrheic keratoses on the dorsum of a patient with Leser–Trélat sign.
Specialty
Dermatology
A seborrheic keratosis is a non-cancerous (benign) skin tumour that originates from cells in the outer layer of the skin. Like liver spots, seborrheic keratoses are seen more often as people age.[4]
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 can often come in association with other skin conditions, including basal cell carcinoma.[6] Sometimes seborrheic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma occur at the same location, and sometimes seborrheic keratosis progresses to basal cell carcinoma. At clinical examination the differential diagnosis includes warts[4] and melanoma. 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 human papillomavirus.[7]
Contents
1Cause
2Diagnosis
2.1Classification
3Treatment
4Epidemiology
5See also
6References
7External links
Cause
The cause of seborrheic keratosis is not known.[4]
Diagnosis
Micrograph of a seborrheic keratosis (H&E stain, scanning magnification)
Visual diagnosis is made by the "stuck on" appearance, horny pearls or cysts embedded in the structure. Darkly pigmented lesions can be challenging to distinguish from nodular melanomas.[8] Furthermore, thin seborrheic keratoses on facial skin can be very difficult to differentiate from lentigo maligna even with dermatoscopy. Clinically, epidermal nevi are similar to seborrheic keratoses in appearance. Epidermal nevi are usually present at or near birth. Condylomas and warts can clinically resemble seborrheic keratoses, and dermatoscopy can be helpful. On the penis and genital skin, condylomas and seborrheic keratoses can be difficult to differentiate, even on biopsy.[citation needed]
A study examining over 4000 biopsied skin lesions identified as seborrheic keratoses showed 3.1% were malignancies. Two-thirds of those were squamous cell carcinoma.[9] To date, the gold standard in the diagnosis of seborrheic keratosis is represented by the histolopathologic analysis of a skin biopsy.[10]
Classification
Seborrheic keratoses may be divided into the following types:[2]:769–770[11][12][13]
Common seborrheic keratosis (basal cell papilloma, solid seborrheic keratosis)
Stucco keratosis (digitate seborrheic keratosis, hyperkeratotic seborrheic keratosis, serrated seborrheic keratosis, verrucous seborrheic keratosis) -- Often are light brown to off-white. Pinpoint to a few millimeters in size. Often found on the distal tibia, ankle, and foot.
Dermatosis papulosa nigra—Commonly found among adult dark-skinned individuals, presents on the face as small benign papules from a pinpoint to a few millimeters in size.
Inverted follicular keratosis
Treatment
No treatment of seborrheic keratoses is necessary, except for aesthetic reasons.[4] Generally, lesions can be treated with electrodesiccation and curettage, or cryosurgery. When correctly performed, removal of seborrheic keratoses will not cause much visible scarring.[14]
Epidemiology
Seborrheic keratosis is the most common benign skin tumor. Incidence increases with age. There is less prevalence in people with darker skin.[15] In large-cohort studies, 100% of the patients over age 50 had at least one seborrheic keratosis.[16] Onset is usually in middle age, although they are common in younger patients too—found in 12% of 15-year-olds to 25-year-olds—making the term "senile keratosis" a misnomer.[17]
See also
The sign of Leser-Trélat
References
^Hafner, C; Vogt, T (Aug 2008). "Seborrheic keratosis". Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. 6 (8): 664–77. doi:10.1111/j.1610-0387.2008.06788.x. PMID 18801147.
^ abFreedberg, et al. (2003). Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-138076-0.
^James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.
^ abcdMoles, Freckles, Skin Tags, Benign Lentigines, and Seborrheic Keratoses Archived 2015-05-22 at the Wayback Machine from the Cleveland Clinic website
^Seborrheic keratosis: Symptoms Archived 2008-09-24 at the Wayback Machine, from the Mayo Clinic website
^Fusco, N.; Lopez, G.; Gianelli, U. (2015). "Basal Cell Carcinoma and Seborrheic Keratosis: When Opposites Attract". International Journal of Surgical Pathology. 23 (6): 464. doi:10.1177/1066896915593802. PMID 26135529.
^Reutter, Jason C.; Geisinger, Kim R.; Laudadio, Jennifer (2014). "Vulvar Seborrheic Keratosis". Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease. 18 (2): 190–4. doi:10.1097/LGT.0b013e3182952357. PMID 24556611.
^"Heartburn". ssai-starss.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
^Chen, Tiffany Y.; Morrison, Annie O.; Cockerell, Clay J. (2017-09-01). "Cutaneous malignancies simulating seborrheic keratoses: An underappreciated phenomenon?". Journal of Cutaneous Pathology. 44 (9): 747–748. doi:10.1111/cup.12975. ISSN 1600-0560. PMID 28589622.
^Hanlon, Allison (2018). A Practical Guide to Skin Cancer. Springer. p. 80. ISBN 9783319749037. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
^Busam, Klaus J. (2010). Dermatopathology. Saunders. p. 341. ISBN 978-0-443-06654-2.
^Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra at eMedicine
^Stucco Keratosis at eMedicine
^"Seborrheic keratoses | American Academy of Dermatology". www.aad.org. American Academy of Dermatology. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
^Zhang, Ru-Zhi; Zhu, Wen-Yuan (2011). "Seborrheic keratoses in five elderly patients: An appearance of raindrops and streams". Indian Journal of Dermatology. 56 (4): 432–434. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.84754. PMC 3179013. PMID 21965858.
^Yeatman JM, Kilkenny M, Marks R (Sep 1997). "The prevalence of seborrhoeic keratoses in an Australian population: does exposure to sunlight play a part in their frequency?". Br J Dermatol. 137 (3): 411–4. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.1997.tb03748.x. PMID 9349339.
^Gill D, Dorevitch A, Marks R (Jun 2000). "The prevalence of seborrheic keratoses in people aged 15 to 30 years: is the term senile keratosis redundant?". Arch Dermatol. 136 (6): 759–62. doi:10.1001/archderm.136.6.759. PMID 10871940.
External links
Classification
D
ICD-10: L82
ICD-9-CM: 702.1
OMIM: 182000
MeSH: D017492
DiseasesDB: 29386
External resources
MedlinePlus: 000884
eMedicine: derm/397
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Seborrheic keratosis.
DermAtlas 185
v
t
e
Diseases of the skin and appendages by morphology
Growths
Epidermal
wart
callus
seborrheic keratosis
acrochordon
molluscum contagiosum
actinic keratosis
squamous-cell carcinoma
basal-cell carcinoma
Merkel-cell carcinoma
nevus sebaceous
trichoepithelioma
Pigmented
Freckles
lentigo
melasma
nevus
melanoma
Dermal and subcutaneous
epidermal inclusion cyst
hemangioma
dermatofibroma (benign fibrous histiocytoma)
keloid
lipoma
neurofibroma
xanthoma
Kaposi's sarcoma
infantile digital fibromatosis
granular cell tumor
leiomyoma
lymphangioma circumscriptum
myxoid cyst
Rashes
With epidermal involvement
Eczematous
contact dermatitis
atopic dermatitis
seborrheic dermatitis
stasis dermatitis
lichen simplex chronicus
Darier's disease
glucagonoma syndrome
langerhans cell histiocytosis
lichen sclerosus
pemphigus foliaceus
Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome
Zinc deficiency
Scaling
psoriasis
tinea (corporis
cruris
pedis
manuum
faciei)
pityriasis rosea
secondary syphilis
mycosis fungoides
systemic lupus erythematosus
pityriasis rubra pilaris
parapsoriasis
ichthyosis
Blistering
herpes simplex
herpes zoster
varicella
bullous impetigo
acute contact dermatitis
pemphigus vulgaris
bullous pemphigoid
dermatitis herpetiformis
porphyria cutanea tarda
epidermolysis bullosa simplex
Papular
scabies
insect bite reactions
lichen planus
miliaria
keratosis pilaris
lichen spinulosus
transient acantholytic dermatosis
lichen nitidus
pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta
Pustular
acne vulgaris
acne rosacea
folliculitis
impetigo
candidiasis
gonococcemia
dermatophyte
coccidioidomycosis
subcorneal pustular dermatosis
Hypopigmented
tinea versicolor
vitiligo
pityriasis alba
postinflammatory hyperpigmentation
tuberous sclerosis
idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis
leprosy
hypopigmented mycosis fungoides
Without epidermal involvement
Red
Blanchable Erythema
Generalized
drug eruptions
viral exanthems
toxic erythema
systemic lupus erythematosus
Localized
cellulitis
abscess
boil
erythema nodosum
carcinoid syndrome
fixed drug eruption
Specialized
urticaria
erythema (multiforme
migrans
gyratum repens
annulare centrifugum
ab igne)
Nonblanchable Purpura
Macular
thrombocytopenic purpura
actinic/solar purpura
Papular
disseminated intravascular coagulation
vasculitis
Indurated
scleroderma/morphea
granuloma annulare
lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
necrobiosis lipoidica
Miscellaneous disorders
Ulcers
Hair
telogen effluvium
androgenic alopecia
alopecia areata
systemic lupus erythematosus
tinea capitis
loose anagen syndrome
lichen planopilaris
folliculitis decalvans
acne keloidalis nuchae
Nail
onychomycosis
psoriasis
paronychia
ingrown nail
Mucous membrane
Aphthous stomatitis
oral candidiasis
lichen planus
leukoplakia
pemphigus vulgaris
mucous membrane pemphigoid
cicatricial pemphigoid
herpesvirus
coxsackievirus
syphilis
systemic histoplasmosis
squamous-cell carcinoma
v
t
e
Cutaneous keratosis, ulcer, atrophy, and necrobiosis (L82–L94, 700–701.5)
Epidermal thickening
keratoderma: Keratoderma climactericum
Paraneoplastic keratoderma
Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica of Bazex
Aquagenic keratoderma
Drug-induced keratoderma
psoriasis
Keratoderma blennorrhagicum
keratosis: Seborrheic keratosis
Clonal seborrheic keratosis
Common seborrheic keratosis
Irritated seborrheic keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis with squamous atypia
Reticulated seborrheic keratosis
Dermatosis papulosa nigra
Keratosis punctata of the palmar creases
other hyperkeratosis: Acanthosis nigricans
Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis
Callus
Ichthyosis acquisita
Arsenical keratosis
Chronic scar keratosis
Hyperkeratosis lenticularis perstans
Hydrocarbon keratosis
Hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola
Inverted follicular keratosis
Lichenoid keratosis
Multiple minute digitate hyperkeratosis
PUVA keratosis
Reactional keratosis
Stucco keratosis
Thermal keratosis
Viral keratosis
Warty dyskeratoma
Waxy keratosis of childhood
other hypertrophy: Keloid
Hypertrophic scar
Cutis verticis gyrata
Necrobiosis/granuloma
Necrobiotic/palisading
Granuloma annulare
Perforating
Generalized
Subcutaneous
Granuloma annulare in HIV disease
Localized granuloma annulare
Patch-type granuloma annulare
Necrobiosis lipoidica
Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma
Granuloma multiforme
Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma
Palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous dermatitis
Rheumatoid nodulosis
Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis/Interstitial granulomatous drug reaction
… thrombosed capillaries within plantar warts Unlike warts, the dark color can be removed by superficial paring and skin lines are not disrupted. Seborrheic keratosis – Seborrheic keratoses are papules or plaques …
… present in inflamed or irritated lesions. Seborrheic keratoses should be differentiated from other benign and malignant lesions, including acrochordon, verruca vulgaris, epidermal nevi, melanocytic nevi, basal …
… considered cosmetic. Lesions that can be treated in this matter include seborrheic keratoses, sebaceous hyperplasia, and verrucae. Some lesions can be treated with electrodesiccation alone, including skin …
…discussed in detail separately. Plantar warts commonly occur on pressure points in the heel and the ball of the foot. Overlying callus may cause pain. On inspection, plantar warts appear as hyperkeratotic papules …
…discussed in detail separately. Plantar warts commonly occur on pressure points in the ball of the foot and the heel. Overlying callus may cause pain. On inspection, plantar warts appear as hyperkeratotic papules …
English Journal
Diffuse lichen planus-like keratoses and clinical pseudo-progression associated with avelumab treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma, a case report.
Cardis MA, Jiang H, Strauss J, Gulley JL, Brownell I.
BMC cancer. 2019 Jun;19(1)539.
Avelumab is an anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody approved for treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. It shares a similar side effect profile to other immune checkpoint inhibitors, including immune-related adverse reactions
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Signaling in Skin Cancers.
, C C, M M, M M.
Cells. 2019 Jun;8(6).
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling regulates various cellular processes during the embryonic development and in the adult organism. In the skin, fibroblasts and keratinocytes control proliferation and survival of melanocytes in a paracrine manner via se
Hypergranulotic dyscornification: 30 cases of a striking epithelial reaction pattern.
Roy SF, Ko CJ, Moeckel GW, McNiff JM.
Journal of cutaneous pathology. 2019 Jun;().
Hypergranulotic dyscornification (HD) is a rarely reported histologic reaction pattern that may be observed in solitary benign keratoses. We retrospectively reviewed all cases described as displaying 'hypergranulotic dyscornification' at our institution between January 1 1990 to September 1 2018. We
Seborrhoeic Wart are also called seborrhoeic keratosis or basal cell papilloma. Seborrhoeic Warts are ubiquitous, benign, hyperkeratotic skin lesions associated with ageing. ... Dermoscopic features [4, 5] Thickened ...
It is not known if this is just a coincidence or whether it represents a true cancer change in the seborrheic wart. If you do notice a change in a seborrhoeic wart, it is worth asking your doctor to examine it. Note: although they are ...
Seborrheic warts are a nickname given to a common skin condition that is actually not a wart at all. The similarities to warts include appearance and the fact they are harmless. Seborrheic keratosis is the correct name for this ...