Benign skin lesions Flashcards
(21 cards)
Seborrhoeic keratoses
Benign, but commonly referred
Warty growths, “stuck on appearance”
Can have variable appearance
Patients often have multiple +/- cherry angiomas
Generally left untreated, but if troublesome get Cryotherapy (freeze) or Curettage (scraping/cutting)
Name some benign skin lesions (7)
Seborrhoeic keratoses Viral warts Cysts Dermatofibroma Limpoma Angioma Pyogenic Granuloma
Pros and cons of cryotherapy
Pros: Cheap and Easy to perform “on the day
Cons: Can scar. May reoccur or fail. No pathology result.
What is the Sign of Leser-Trelat
A skin disorder characterised by the abrupt appearance of widespread seborrhoeic keratoses
Particular in younger individuals
Paraneoplastic phenomenon
What underlying pathology can Suborrhoeic keratoses sometimes indicate?
Solid organ malignancy - GI adenocarcinoma
What is a cyst?
Encapsulated lesion containing fluid or semi-fluid material
Usually firm and fluctuant
Common - affect 20% adults
What are the different types of cysts that exist? (5)
Epidermoid cyst (often wrongly called sebaceous) Pilar cyst Steatocystoma Dermoid cyst Hidrocystoma Ganglion cyst
Treatment of cysts
Treat with Excision
if they are inflamed or infected then:
Antibiotics
Intralesional steroids
incision and drainage
Dermatofibroma
Benign fibrous nodule, often on limbs - proliferation of fibroblasts
Cause = unknown
Pale pink/brown, firm nodule.
Dimple sign positive
usually asymptomatic
Limpoma
Benign tumour consisting of fat cells
Common
Cause = unknown
Angioma
Overgrowth of blood vessels in the skin due to proliferating endothelial cells
Generally asymptomatic. Can be unsightly or bleed
Occurs in all age groups + both sexes
Name 3 common types of angiomas
Cherry angiomas
Spider naevi
Venous lakes - dilated venules
Pyogenic Granuloma
Rapidly enlarging red/raw growth, often at a site of trauma
Bleed easily
Cause = unknown
Occur in up to 5% pregnancies
Removed by curettage + cautery (burn off)
What is Bowen’s disease? (Intraepidermal squamous cell carcinoma)
Full thickness dysplasia, entirely contained within the epidermis, no metastatic potential
Potential to become malignant (around 5%)
Irregular, scaly erythematous plaque
Treatment of Bowen’s disease
Cryotherapy (freeze)
Curettage (Lesion scraped off and heat applied to seal vessels and destroy residual cancer cells)
Photodynamic therapy
Imiquimod
What is photodynamic therapy? and how does it work in removing cancerous cells
Photochemical reaction to selectively destroy cancer cells
Topical photosensitising agent applied
Concentrates in cancerous cells
Red light applied (light colour dependant on which agent is used)
Photodymanic reaction occurs between light, photosensitiser and oxygen causing inflamation and destruction of cells
Pros and cons of photodynamic therapy
Pros: Done for the patient by hospital staff. Can treat multiple areas, including those which would be hard to reach by patient. 1 or 2 treatments.
Cons: requires hospital appointments. Can be painful and scar
What is Imiquoid?
Imiquimod cream is a cancer treatment and is also known by its brand name, Aldara
It is an immune response modifier - it stimulates cytokine release (results in inflammation and destruction of lesion)
Useful is surgery isn’t desired. Can cover large surface area.
Takes 6 weeks + there is significant inflammation.
What is Acitinic keratoses?
Rough scaly patches on sun damaged skin
Low risk of transformation to Squamous cell carcinoma
Treatment of Acitinic keratoses (4)
Cryotherapy
Curettage
Diclofenac Gel
Imiquimod
Sun protection
Cover up
Avoid sun at peak hours
10am-4pm
Don’t burn and try not to tan + Avoid sunbeds
Sunscreen
- UVA & UVB protection
At least SPF 30 / 4 Star
Need to apply 2 tablespoons every 2 hours
