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Melanoma within the seborrheic keratosis
Isabelle Thomas1, Nadia I Kihiczak, Jerry Rothenberg
1Dermatology, New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103-2714, USA.
Summary
Seborrheic keratoses (SKs) are common benign skin tumors. Biopsying clinically typical SKs is crucial, as they can sometimes conceal malignant melanoma, preventing misdiagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Seborrheic keratoses (SKs) are frequent benign epidermal tumors.
- Clinical diagnosis is often considered sufficient, leading to destruction without biopsy.
Observation:
- A patient presented with a lesion clinically resembling a typical SK.
- Histopathological examination revealed malignant melanoma arising within the SK.
Findings:
- Clinical diagnosis of SKs can be unreliable.
- Malignant tumors, including melanoma, can be misdiagnosed as or obscured by SKs.
Implications:
- Biopsy of SKs is essential for accurate diagnosis.
- Histopathological confirmation prevents missed or delayed diagnosis of malignant melanoma.
- Rethinking the standard practice of non-biopsied SK removal is warranted.