That’s Not A Mole! Uncovering Seborrheic Keratosis

They vary in size from millimeters to several centimeters, colors range in lightness/darkness, and they often have a “stuck-on” look with well-defined edges. The surface can be waxy or rough, may itch or get irritated, and can be mistaken for melanoma… But what does it mean?

Whack-a-mole, or…?

Unusual, new lesions in adulthood are rare after the age of about 30 and should be checked, as they may be benign but can also indicate skin cancer.

Warning signs to look out for: any new, growing, bleeding, scabbing, or ulcerating lesions, rapidly growing lesions may indicate squamous cell carcinoma, scabbing/ulcerated lesions may be basal cell carcinoma.

As mnemonic: apply the ABCDE rule (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Difference, Evolving)

As for seborrheic keratosis, it manifests as benign, non-cancerous skin growths that increase with age, most commonly found on face, neck, chest, and back. The cause is not fully understood; we do know that it’s at least linked to genetics and aging, and almost certainly sun exposure is a factor (but it’s also not mere hyperpigmentation).

What to do: intervention is usually not medically required. There are treatment options, though, mostly for cosmetic reasons though irritation can also be an issue. Methods include cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen or nitric oxide) or curettage with local anaesthetic and electrocautery (which is a bunch of fancy words to say: numb it, shave it off, and seal the wound with heat). Multiple treatments may be needed for large or thick lesions.

For more on all of this plus visual illustrations, enjoy:

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Take care!