Brown things: Benign Pigmented Skin Lesions

Question 1

Freckles

What are they?

Cause

Answer 1

Small brown papules

Increased melanin production in response to UB exposure so fade during darker weather

Question 2

Melanocytic naevi aka _____?

Pathophysiology

Cause

When do they usually happen?

Answer 2

Moles

Benign proliferations iof melanocytes

Genetic factors and sun exposure

Early life and decrease in number in old age

Question 3

Melanocytic naevi:

Appearance - SCAM

Answer 3

S - small
C - Brown/skin-coloured
A - sometimes hairy
M - macules, papules or nodules

Question 4

Moles and melanoma - why is it important?

Answer 4

Malignant melanoma can arise within moles especially atypical moles such as dysplastic naevi

Question 5

Seborrheic Keratosis:

Pathophysiology

Cause

Appearance - SCAM

What do black people tend to have? - Mummy and Grandpa had this

Management

Answer 5

Bening lesions

Ageing - not related to sun exposure

S - varying
C - light colour to dark brown
A - raised, warty texture
M - plaque

Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra

None 
Topical acetic acid
Cyrotherapy 
Curettage
Diathermy 
Shave biopsy

Question 6

Lentigines

Pathophysiology

What is one called?

Simple lentigo - another name? onset? what is not related to?

Solar lentigo - cause? another name for them?

Appearance

Answer 6

Benign melanocyte hyperplasia which spreads linearly but not in nests as moles do

Lentigo

Lentigo simplex
Congenital or appears in childhood - is no related to sun exposure

Sun exposure
Age spots

Small brown macule or patches through they can be slightly raised
Look like freckles but present all yr round