With akeratoacanthoma,you develop a red bump or dome on your skin that may resemble a horn.
Most cases are seen in older adults.
You may develop just one, or less commonly, you might have several.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
But only some see this as a distinct lesion.
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Reproduced with permission from DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
The bump is commonly a smooth, flesh-colored dome.
In the center, it has a keratin core (the protein that forms your nails and hair).
Keratoacanthomas commonly disappear on their own.
In some cases, they may leave a scar.
These lesions typically are smooth and symmetrical and appear dome-shaped.
Although, in some cases, these can be cup-shaped with some ulceration in the center.
If these are located on the eyelids or nose, tissue in the area can be destroyed.
Even with the diagnostic options, it can be difficult to distinguish between keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Sometimes these can clinically mimic each other.
The standard approach to dealing with such lesions is to remove or destroy them somehow.
The growth may regress on its own, although it may sometimes leave a scar.
But if this has spread elsewhere in the body, you may be facing a serious prognosis.
These are usually noncancerous, although they can be confused with squamous cell carcinoma.
Some also think that acanthoma is a variant of squamous cell carcinoma.
If you decide to have it removed, you will have various options.
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