Seborrheic keratosis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

Seborrheic keratosis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

A 70-year-old female presents to your clinic worried about these strange “brown spots” on her neck and back. She says they are not painful or itchy. On physical exam, you note a few scattered well-circumscribed, brown raised lesions with a sort of “stuck-on” appearance. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Solar lentigo
B. Actinic keratosis
C. Seborrheic keratosis
D. Basal cell carcinoma
E. Angiokeratoma

Answer and topic summary

The answer is C. Seborrheic keratosis

Seborrheic keratosis is a benign tumor of the epidermis. It happens due to the proliferation of keratinocytes. On physical exam you may see well-circumscribed, brownish verrucous-like raised lesions with a sort of “stuck on” appearance. They may look greasy or velvety. The diagnosis is usually clinical; however, a biopsy should be done if the lesion has an atypical appearance. Treatment is not really needed. Patients may want it removed for aesthetic reasons or because it gets caught in things. Options for removal include cryotherapy, curettage, and shave excision.

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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:

Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Dermatology ⇒ Keratotic disordersSeborrheic keratosis

Also covered on the Family Medicine PAEA rotation content topic list

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