Also known as basal cell papilloma
Background
- Most common benign tumour in older people. Prevalence increases with age. Onset usually in middle age. More common in caucasion
- Arise from proliferation of basal cell in the epidermis (NOT at all related to the sebaceous glands)
- More common on sun-exposed regions but can appear on covered areas (no direct link to sunlight proven)
- Considered to possibly be a part of the skin aging process.
Appearance
- Classical flat-topped/warty lesion (stuck on appearance) with a well-circumscribed border
- Usually pigmented
- Surface is usually irregular, rough, granular
- They initially appear as a hyperpigmented macular/plaque and initially have a soft/velvety surface before developing a raised, warty surface.
Management
- Usually simple reassurance with no active management
- Warts can be removed if they are causing distress (cosmetically or physically due to their location)
- Cryotherapy (usually for thinner lesions)
- Curettage and cautery
- Shave biopsy
Other types of seborrhoeic keratosis
- Solar lentigines: flat brown marks in sun-exposed areas
- Stucco keratoses: numerous small dry grey/white stuck on lesions usually found on the lower legs and feet or other extremities
- Dermatosis papulosa nigra: numerous, brown/purple, warty papules on the face, neck and chest of dark-skinned individuals
- Irritated seborrhoeic keratosis: inflamed lesion, often red and crusted; may resemble BCC
- Lichenoid keratosis: resolving keratosis or lentigo, often pink/grey coloured
- Melanoacanthoma: very deeply pigmented seborrhoeic keratosis (tumour involves melanocytes also)
Notes on Medicine/Surgery 