Dermatology >>>> What is a keratoma?

What is a keratoma?

A neoplasm on the skin in the form of a plaque, crust or growth of various shades of reddish, purple and brown is called a keratoma. The formation of a keratoma occurs due to keratinization of epithelial cells, thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis and a local burst of melanin production under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Keratomas are usually located on areas of the skin exposed to sunlight.

A number of factors have been identified that contribute to the occurrence of keratomas:

Age period - after 40 years,
Decreased immune responses,
Excessive exposure of the skin to sunlight,
Endocrine disorders,
Hypovitaminosis of some vitamins (A, group B, C),
Mechanical trauma to the skin (constant rubbing of the skin with clothing),
Chemical trauma to the skin,
Hereditary predisposition (especially in the male line).

Keratoma is not a malignant neoplasm, but some of its forms can also transform into malignant tumors (for example, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin). In some cases, keratomas can be rejected on their own.

The signs of a keratoma are different depending on the form of its manifestation. There are several types of keratoma described in the medical literature:

Senile keratoma (age-related keratoma) is formed initially in the form of a yellowish or brownish spot, which outwardly resembles a site of hyperpigmentation. Gradually, the spot darkens, increases in area and changes its structure, turning into loose keratinized tissue. The surface of the senile keratoma bulges, alternating with bulges and depressions, eventually begins to peel off and flake off in the form of small scales. Age-related keratomas, as a rule, are scattered with plaques ranging in size from 0.5 to 6 cm. Such keratomas can become inflamed, bleed and ache when they are injured.

Follicular keratoma forms pink or cream-colored nodules about a centimeter in size, slightly raised above the surface of the skin. In the center of the nodule there is a depression or a scale of a lighter shade. Such keratomas are often located in the cheeks, lips, nasolabial triangle near the hair follicles.

Angiokeratoma is formed from cells of the dermis with the inclusion of small vessels. The color of an angiokeratoma ranges from dark red to dark purple shades. Dimensions do not exceed a centimeter. Angiokeratoma can be single or located in a scattering of plaques of different diameters, often merging with each other.

Seborrheic keratoma resembles a zest in appearance. It has a convex surface covered with crusts and cracks. Seborrheic keratoma grows slowly, and damage to it causes pain and bleeding. The most common locations for such a keratoma are the trunk (back, shoulders, chest), less often the face or neck.

The cutaneous horn (horny keratoma) resembles an outgrowth in the form of a cone-shaped tubercle of silvery or light gray tones. Its surface has a crumbling appearance due to flaking. This formation is quite dense to the touch. This type of keratoma is often referred to as precancerous diseases.

A solar keratoma looks like an erythematous plaque of a faded red color with a scaly surface. The scales are easily detached from the surface of the keratoma. It is most often located on the cheeks, neck, arms (hands) and legs (feet). Solar keratoma is considered a precancerous formation. Sometimes such a keratoma can disappear on its own, and after a while it appears in the same place.

Keratoma treatment is carried out by removing it, or by conservative methods. With follicular keratoma, scraping (curettage) of the follicle (hair follicle) is performed. With seborrheic keratoma, Solcoderm is used. The application of fluorouracil or colhamin ointment helps to reduce the size of keratomas. In case of oncologically dangerous keratomas, cytostatics and antitumor antibiotics are used. Drug therapy is carried out strictly under the guidance of a physician.

Operations to remove a keratoma can be performed using an erbium or neodymium laser, destruction using liquid nitrogen, using an electric knife, radiosurgical excision with the participation of special thinnest electrodes, a classic surgical operation. A classical surgical operation to remove a keratoma is performed in the event of its malignancy, while, according to indications, the tissues adjacent to the keratoma are excised.

Traditional methods of treating keratoma at home can be dangerous due to the fact that some homemade recipes can provoke malignancy of neoplasms, so you should not experiment with traditional medicine recipes in the case of keratoma.