Causative and risk factors
The cause of seborrhoeic keratosis is unknown. Family history and sun exposure may be associated with its development.
Clinical presentation
The location of the lesions may be the scalp, face, neck, chest, back, stomach, or other body parts. The lesions begin as small, rough bumps, which eventually become thick and develop a warty surface. They have a waxy appearance. The color can range anywhere between white, tan, brown to black. The size is variable, ranging from a fraction of an inch to more than 1 inch. The shape may be round or oval. The lesions are painless. Rarely itching may be present.
Investigations
The diagnosis can be made on the basis of physical examination alone. If cancer is suspected, an excision biopsy may be performed.
Treatment
No medications are necessary for treating seborrhoeic keratoses. The treatment options include cryosurgery, electrocautery and laser ablation.
Cryosurgery involves the application of liquid nitrogen. In electrocautery, an electric current is used to burn the growth. In ablation therapy the growth is vaporized with a laser.
Being non-cancerous, this condition does not cause any harm to the patient. However, without treatment, they do not resolve and become larger and thicker with time.
