C h a p t e r 4 6
Disorders of Skin Integrity and Function
1181
Skin Lesions Common Among the Elderly
Among the most common benign skin lesions in the
elderly are skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, solar len-
tigines, and vascular lesions. Most are actinic manifes-
tations; they occur as a result of exposure to sun and
weather over the years.
Skin Tags.
Skin tags
are soft, brown, or flesh-colored
papules. They occur on any skin surface, but most fre-
quently the neck, axilla, and intertriginous areas. They
range in size from a pinhead to the size of a pea. Skin
tags have the normal texture of the skin. They are benign
and can be removed with scissors or electrodesiccation
for cosmetic purposes.
Seborrheic Keratosis.
A keratosis is a circumscribed
overgrowth of the horny layer of keratinocytes.
S
eborrheic keratoses
are common benign tumors that
arise spontaneously and are particularly numerous on
the trunk, although they can also occur on the extremi-
ties, head, and neck. In people of color, multiple small
lesions on the face are termed dermatoses papulosa
nigra. The lesions characteristically appear as round,
flat, coin-shaped waxy plaques that vary in diameter
from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diam-
eter.
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Seborrheic keratoses are benign, but they must
be watched for changes in color, texture, or size, which
may indicate malignant transformation.
Actinic Keratoses.
Actinic keratoses
are the most com-
mon premalignant skin lesions that develop on sun-
exposed areas. The lesions usually are less than 1 cm in
diameter and appear as dry, brown, scaly areas, often
with a reddish tinge (Fig. 46-29). Actinic keratoses often
are multiple and more easily felt than seen. They often
are indistinguishable from squamous cell carcinoma
without biopsy. Actinic keratoses may accumulate dense
scale on the surface of the skin and become hyperkera-
totic (i.e., developing cutaneous growths of fingernail-
type tissue that grow into hornlike appendages). This
form is more prominent and palpable. Often, there is a
weathered appearance to the surrounding skin. Slight
changes, such as enlargement or ulceration, may indi-
cate malignant transformation. Roughly 20% of actinic
keratoses convert to squamous cell carcinomas. There
is controversy regarding the classification of actinic
keratoses. Most experts agree that they are capable of
converting to cancerous growths; however, some believe
that actinic keratoses do not convert or progress to can-
cerous cells, but that they are actual early malignancies.
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Actinic keratoses are removed with cryosurgery, elec-
trodesiccation, or lasers. When surgery is not indicated,
they are treated with topical chemotherapy agents, such
as 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod creams, which erode the
lesions.
Solar Lentigines.
Also referred to as
liver spots,
solar
lentigines are small (5- to 10-mm), benign, oval or
round, tan-brown macules or patches resulting from
localized hyperplasia of melanocytes.
Solar lentigines
gradually appear on sun-exposed areas, particularly the
dorsum of the hand. They do not fade with cessation of
sun exposure. Like all pigmented lesions, they should
be evaluated. If the pigmentation is homogenous and
they are symmetric and flat, they are most likely benign.
Solar lentigines can be treated with a topical bleaching
agent such as hydroquinone (e.g., Eldoquin, Solaquin),
laser therapy, or cryotherapy.
Lentigo maligna
(i.e., Hutchinson freckle) is a slowly
progressive preneoplastic disorder of melanocytes,
also referred to as lentigo maligna melanoma in situ. It
occurs on sun-exposed areas, particularly the face. The
lesion is a pigmented macule with an irregular border
and grows to 5 cm or sometimes larger. As it grows over
the years, it may become slightly raised and wartlike. If
untreated, a true malignant melanoma often develops.
Surgery, curettage, and cryotherapy have been effective
at removing the lentigines. Careful monitoring for con-
version to melanoma is important.
Vascular Lesions.
Vascular lesions include angiomas,
telangiectases, and venous lakes.
Cherry angiomas
are
smooth, cherry-red or purple, dome-shaped papules
that occur in nearly all people older than 30 years of
age. They usually are found on the trunk and are gener-
ally benign unless there is a sudden appearance of many
cherry angiomas.
Telangiectases
are single, dilated blood
vessels, capillaries, or terminal arteries that appear
on areas exposed to sun or harsh weather, such as the
cheeks and the nose. They occur individually or in clus-
ters, measure 1 cm or less, are nonpalpable, and easily
blanch. They can become large and disfiguring. Pulsed
dye lasers have been effective in removing them.
Venous
lakes
are small, dark blue, slightly raised papules. They
occur on exposed body parts, particularly the backs of
the hands, ears, and lips. They are smooth and com-
pressible. Venous lakes can be removed by electrosur-
gery, laser therapy, or surgical excision if desired.
FIGURE 46-29.
Nonhyperkeratotic actinic keratosis of scalp,
forehead, and cheek in a 74-year-old man. (From Sanmartin
O, Guillen C. Fluorescence diagnosis of subclinical actinic
keratosis. N Eng J Med. 2008;358(19):e21. Copyright © 2008.
Massachusetts Medical Society.)
