Moles, lumps and bumps covers a very large number of conditions that can occur on, in or under the skin. Skin cancer is covered under its own heading, whilst this section will cover some of the more common benign (non-cancerous) conditions. Benign lesions are usually asymptomatic, however some can cause local problems, such as becoming irritated or inflamed, and people may therefore ask for them to be removed. Some people simply don't like the appearance of the lesions and ask for them to be removed for cosmetic reasons.
Moles
The term "mole" is usually used to describe simple skin blemishes. Most moles appear during the first two decades of someones life. When people are talking about moles they are usually describing, what in medical terms, are "naevi" (or "naevus" when there is a single mole). A naevus contains naevus cells (a type of melanocyte). These can vary in colour from almost black, through all shadows of brown, to flesh coloured or even paler. They may also be flat, raised or even pedunculated (which means on a stalk).
Lumps and Bumps
When a swelling is felt or seen deep to the skin it is usually described as a lump or bump. The two commonest diagnoses are:
-Lipoma: an overgrowth of fat cells. These usually have a distinct wall around them and are called "encapsulated" lipomas. This normally means they can be removed with ease. Rare "unencapsulate" lipomas do not have a distinct wall, and infiltrate surrounding tissues. They are harder to remove, and often recur.
-Cysts: a cyst is a blind-ending sac which usually has its exit onto the skin. The commonest are epidermoid cysts (otherwise known as sebaceous or pilar cysts) which are filled with keratin (the main structural protein making up the outer layer of skin). They may discharge this "cheesy" keratin material onto the skin, and occasionally become infected.
Other conditions
Actinic keratosis: flat scaley pinkish lesions in sun exposed areas due to sun damage. Can progress on to skin cancer, and therefore intervention is recommended.
Dermatofibroma: hard reddish-brown lesion on the skin, usually found on the limbs, which may be itchy.
Seborrheic keratosis: From light brown to black they are round or oval, feel flat or slightly elevated (like the scab from a healing wound), and range in size from very small to more than 2.5 centimetres. They can resemble warts or even, on occasion, melanomas. Seborrheic keratoses are seen more often as people age, can occur anywhere, and may become quite numerous. Unlike many other lesions, seborrheic keratoses can be curettaged (scrapped) off the skin giving the opportunity for scarless healing (although slightly higher risk of recurrence).
Moles
The term "mole" is usually used to describe simple skin blemishes. Most moles appear during the first two decades of someones life. When people are talking about moles they are usually describing, what in medical terms, are "naevi" (or "naevus" when there is a single mole). A naevus contains naevus cells (a type of melanocyte). These can vary in colour from almost black, through all shadows of brown, to flesh coloured or even paler. They may also be flat, raised or even pedunculated (which means on a stalk).
- Junctional nevus: the naevus cells are located along the junction of the top layer of skin (epithelium) and the underlying deeper layer (dermis). A junctional naevus is flat and brown to black.
- Compound nevus: a mixture of junctional and intradermal proliferation. Compound naevi are slightly raised and brown to black.
- Intradermal nevus: the naevus cells are located in the deeper dermis only. Intradermal naevi are raised; most are flesh-colored (not pigmented)
Lumps and Bumps
When a swelling is felt or seen deep to the skin it is usually described as a lump or bump. The two commonest diagnoses are:
-Lipoma: an overgrowth of fat cells. These usually have a distinct wall around them and are called "encapsulated" lipomas. This normally means they can be removed with ease. Rare "unencapsulate" lipomas do not have a distinct wall, and infiltrate surrounding tissues. They are harder to remove, and often recur.
-Cysts: a cyst is a blind-ending sac which usually has its exit onto the skin. The commonest are epidermoid cysts (otherwise known as sebaceous or pilar cysts) which are filled with keratin (the main structural protein making up the outer layer of skin). They may discharge this "cheesy" keratin material onto the skin, and occasionally become infected.
Other conditions
Actinic keratosis: flat scaley pinkish lesions in sun exposed areas due to sun damage. Can progress on to skin cancer, and therefore intervention is recommended.
Dermatofibroma: hard reddish-brown lesion on the skin, usually found on the limbs, which may be itchy.
Seborrheic keratosis: From light brown to black they are round or oval, feel flat or slightly elevated (like the scab from a healing wound), and range in size from very small to more than 2.5 centimetres. They can resemble warts or even, on occasion, melanomas. Seborrheic keratoses are seen more often as people age, can occur anywhere, and may become quite numerous. Unlike many other lesions, seborrheic keratoses can be curettaged (scrapped) off the skin giving the opportunity for scarless healing (although slightly higher risk of recurrence).