Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Benign Tumors
Number of Conditions: 7
Seborrheic Keratosis
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Skin Tumors and Growths
Sub-category: Benign Tumors
Symptoms:
waxy, wart-like growths; brown, black, or tan color; typically round or oval shape; rough or smooth surface; commonly found on the trunk, face, or extremities
Root Cause:
Benign proliferation of keratinocytes, often associated with aging and genetic predisposition.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; dermoscopy to differentiate from malignant lesions; biopsy in uncertain cases.
Treatment:
No treatment necessary unless for cosmetic reasons or irritation; removal by cryotherapy, curettage, or laser.
Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is procedural.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common in adults over 50; prevalence increases with age.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, genetic predisposition, and sun exposure.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; lesions are benign and do not transform into cancer.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Irritation from friction or clothing; Cosmetic concerns
Lipomas
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Skin Tumors and Growths
Sub-category: Benign Tumors
Symptoms:
soft, movable lumps under the skin; painless (usually); typically small, but can grow larger; most commonly on the trunk, shoulders, and neck
Root Cause:
Benign growth of mature adipose tissue within the subcutaneous layer.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; ultrasound or biopsy for atypical presentations.
Treatment:
Surgical removal for symptomatic or cosmetic reasons.
Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is surgical.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in about 1 in 1,000 people; most common in middle-aged adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, obesity, and minor trauma.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; completely benign, with rare recurrence after removal.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cosmetic concerns; Discomfort if large or pressing on nearby structures
Epidermoid Cysts
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Skin Tumors and Growths
Sub-category: Benign Tumors
Symptoms:
small, round, firm bumps under the skin; central punctum (blackhead-like opening); may ooze foul-smelling keratin if ruptured; commonly on face, neck, and trunk
Root Cause:
Benign cysts formed by keratin trapped beneath the skin due to blocked hair follicles or trauma.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; biopsy if atypical.
Treatment:
Incision and drainage for symptomatic cases; surgical excision to prevent recurrence.
Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is procedural.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, affecting individuals of all ages.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma, acne, and genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; recurrence is rare after complete removal.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection; Inflammation; Rupture
Dermatofibromas
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Skin Tumors and Growths
Sub-category: Benign Tumors
Symptoms:
firm, small nodules under the skin; typically tan, pink, or brown; central dimple when pinched; commonly on legs or arms
Root Cause:
Benign fibrous growths in the dermis, often triggered by minor skin injuries or insect bites.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; dermoscopy or biopsy for atypical presentations.
Treatment:
No treatment required unless symptomatic; excision for cosmetic reasons or irritation.
Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is surgical.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, more frequent in adults and females.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Minor trauma or skin injuries.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; lesions are benign and stable.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cosmetic concerns; Rare irritation or pain
Cherry Angiomas
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Skin Tumors and Growths
Sub-category: Benign Tumors
Symptoms:
small, red to purple spots on the skin; smooth or slightly raised; painless and non-itchy; most commonly on the trunk
Root Cause:
Proliferation of capillaries in the skin, associated with aging and possibly hormonal changes.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; dermoscopy to confirm diagnosis.
Treatment:
No treatment required unless for cosmetic reasons; removal via laser therapy or electrocautery.
Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is procedural.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common, increasing with age; present in most adults over 30.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, genetics, and hormonal factors.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; lesions are benign and do not require intervention.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cosmetic concerns; Occasional bleeding if traumatized
Neurofibromas
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Skin Tumors and Growths
Sub-category: Benign Tumors
Symptoms:
soft, skin-colored or brown bumps; painless, but may cause discomfort if large or pressing on nerves; commonly on the trunk, arms, and legs; associated with caf?au-lait spots in neurofibromatosis
Root Cause:
Benign tumors arising from peripheral nerve sheaths, often associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; imaging or biopsy for atypical or symptomatic cases.
Treatment:
No treatment required for asymptomatic lesions; surgical removal for large or symptomatic tumors.
Medications:
Not applicable; treatment is surgical or observational.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Sporadic cases are rare; associated with neurofibromatosis in about 1 in 3,000 individuals.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (genetic disorder).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent for isolated neurofibromas; prognosis depends on associated conditions in neurofibromatosis.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cosmetic concerns; Discomfort or pain; Rare malignant transformation in NF1
Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Tumors and Growths of the Ear
Sub-category: Benign Tumors
Symptoms:
gradual hearing loss in one ear; ringing in the ear (tinnitus); dizziness or imbalance; facial numbness or weakness in severe cases
Root Cause:
A slow-growing, benign tumor arising from the Schwann cells of the vestibular nerve, often compressing adjacent nerves and structures.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI with contrast to detect the tumor; audiometry to assess hearing loss; and occasionally CT scans.
Treatment:
Observation for small, asymptomatic tumors; surgical removal (microsurgery); stereotactic radiosurgery (e.g., Gamma Knife).
Medications:
Medications are not typically used to treat the tumor itself. However, corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone ) may be prescribed to manage inflammation after surgery or radiation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in approximately 1 in 100,000 people annually; represents about 8% of all intracranial tumors.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Neurofibromatosis type 2, exposure to prolonged loud noise, and family history of the condition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally favorable for life expectancy, but complete tumor removal can risk nerve damage. Hearing loss may persist.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent hearing loss, facial nerve damage, balance issues, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, or rare malignant transformation.