Skin Tumors

Skin TumorsBenign and Malignant

By Peter D. Hino, M.D.

Benign Tumors Derived from Superficial Epidermis

Seborrheic Keratosis


More common in the elderlyOften pigmentedVariable size“Barnacle-like” appearanceUsually asymptomatic

Stucco Seborrheic Keratosis

Primarily on the extremities, especially distally Often small 2-3mm white plaques that are easily lifted off

Keratoacanthoma

Rapidly evolving tumor, often in the matter of weeks, possibly of viral origin Composed of keratinizing squamous cells More common in fair skinned, elderly people May resolve spontaneously over a period of 2 to 12 months

Epidermal Nevus

Nevus Comedonicus

Acrochordon (Skin tags)

Occur in approximately 25% of males and females Occur in the axilla, neck and inguinal region Increase with age beginning the 20s up into the 50s Few to multiple

Benign Tumors Derived from the Epidermal Appendages

Epidermoid Cyst

Epidermoid Cyst


Common, affecting young and middle age adults Usually seen on the head, neck and trunk Often can identifiy a punctum Cyst contains keratin

Pilar Cysts

Sebaceous Hyperplasia


Found on the face Singular to multiple in number Usually 2-3mm up to 6mm with umbilication Often begin to appear in the 30s and increase with age

Nevus Sebaceous of Jadassohn

Hidrocystoma

Syringomas


Sweat duct tumors More common in females May first appear in adolescence, but more often in the third decade Found around eyelids and are skin colored to yellow in appearance

Eccrine Poroma

Tumor arising from the eccrine duct epithelium Often on the soles and palms Tend to be moist, red and exophytic

Clear Cell Acanthoma

A scaly plaque or nodule that has an accumulation of glycogen containing cells Most common on the lower limbs Usually solitary and may persists for years

Benign Melanocytic Tumors

Nevus


A benign cluster of melanocytic cells arising as a result of proliferation of melanocytes at the dermo-epidermal junction. These may all remain in contact with the basal layer (the junctional nevus) or may become dettached from the basal layer and lie free in the dermis (the compound and intradermal nevus).

Halo Nevus

Spitz Nevus


A compound nevus seen most commonly in children and with lesser frequency in adults They appear suddenly and the color is caused by increased vascularity Its pathological features can be difficult to distinguish from malignant melanoma

Blue Nevus

An area of blue-black dermal pigmentation produced by an aberrant collection of pigment producing melanocytes The brown pigment absorbs the longer wavelength of light and scatters blue light (Tyndall effect) Extend into the deep dermis, often occur on extremities and the dorsum of the hand

Benign Tumors Derived from Mesodermal Tissue

Dermatofibroma


Can occur on any part of the body, most common on the lower extremities, to a lesser degree on the upper extremities and trunk May be single or multiple Usually pink or brown Commonly 6mm or less Hard consistency

Fibrous Papule

Small facial papule with a fibrovascular content Usually seen on or next to the nose Usually singular but on occasion can be multiple

Keloid

An exaggerated reparative fibroblastic response to injury of the skin Genetic tendency Most commonly found on the ears, neck and trunk

Cherry Angioma

Pyogenic Granuloma


A vasular nodule that develops rapidly, with a glistening moist surface Often may appear at a site of recent trauma Composed of proliferating capillaries in a loose stroma Bleeds easily

Lipoma

Premalignant Tumors

Actinic Keratosis

Hyperkeratotic lesions occurring in sun exposed adult skin May exist in a premalignant state for years Often begin as an area of increased vascularity with the surface becoming rough May progress to squamous cell carcinoma

Actinic Cheilitis

Squamous Cell Carcinoma in situ(Bowen’s Disease)


A persistent, progressive, nonelevated, red, scaly or crusted plaque An intraepidermal proliferation on exposed and nonexposed areas of the body Often mistaken for eczema or psoriasis

Epidermal Malignancies

Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Most common form of skin cancer Usually appears on sun damaged skin Pearly appearance with superficial telangiectasias Rarely metastasizes Derived from basal cell layer of the epidermis

Pigmented Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma

Sclerosing Basal Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma


Often in older fair skinned persons Hyperkeratotic and often ulcerates SCC is separated into two groups based on malignant potential

In Situ Malignant Melanoma

Melanoma cells confined to the epidermis Lack in invasion may persist for months to years Simple excision is often curative

Superficial Spreading Melanoma

Superficial Spreading Melanoma


Most common in middle age Develops anywhere on the body, back in both sexes and legs in females Haphazard combination on colors but may be uniformly brown or black

Acral Lentinginous Melanoma

Most common in blacks and orientals Appears on the palms, soles terminal phalanges and mucous membranes The tumor is very aggressive and metastasizes early

Nodular Melanoma

Occurs in the fifth or sixth decade More frequent in males with a ratio of 2:1 Found anywhere on the body Most frequently misdiagnosed because it can resemble a blood blister, hemangioma, dermal nevus or polyp

Amelanotic Melanoma