We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Keratoacanthoma?

By D. Jeffress
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,561
Share

Keratoacanthoma is a type of skin cancer that emerges as a large bump with an open, mineral-filled crater in the middle. Bumps can appear on the head, arms, legs, or torso. It is uncommon for a person to have more than one keratoacanthoma tumor on his or her body, and this type of cancer almost never spreads to other parts of the body. A dermatologist can usually remove a lesion with a quick and relatively simple surgical procedure.

Doctors and medical researchers are unsure of the exact causes of keratoacanthoma, but they have identified several risk factors for developing the condition. Overexposure to sunlight is considered a probable cause since most lesions appear on areas of skin that are frequently exposed to light, especially the face and arms. Some studies have shown that working around hazardous industrial chemicals is highly correlated with skin cancer. In addition, human papillomavirus infection and direct trauma to the skin have also been identified by researchers as potential causes of keratoacanthoma. People over the age of 50 are most susceptible to the cancer, and it is very rare in patients under the age of 20.

A keratoacanthoma lesion first appears as a small red or skin-colored bump. Over the course of two to four weeks, it can grow into a volcano-like mound with a large, keratin-filled opening. Active lesions are usually less than two inches (about 5 cm) in diameter and have a hard, crusty, white appearance. After about six weeks, a lesion begins to slowly shrivel and shrink for about a year until a hard, disfiguring scar is left.

An individual should visit a dermatologist or primary care physician if he or she notices an abnormal skin growth. A doctor can collect a tissue sample from within the lesion that can be analyzed by laboratory scientists. Extensive lab tests must be conducted to differentiate keratoacanthoma from another more dangerous condition called squamous cell carcinoma. Once a diagnosis has been made, the doctor can determine the best course of treatment based on the size and location of the tumor.

A surgeon usually chooses to remove a small- or medium-sized lesion by applying a local anesthetic to numb the area and cutting out the tumor. The wound is sutured and a patient is given antibiotics to help prevent infection. In the case of a large lesion that cannot easily be removed by surgery, a patient may need to undergo radiation treatments to ablate it. Following a successful procedure, a patient is typically instructed to wear sunscreen and schedule regular dermatological checkups to help prevent future skin problems.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-keratoacanthoma.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.