Seborrheic keratosis is noncancerous (benign) wart-like growths on the surface of the skin.
Seborrheic keratosis is a benign form of skin tumor. The cause is unknown. The condition commonly appears after age 40.
Symptoms are skin growths that:
Diagnosis is based primarily on the appearance of the growths. A skin lesion biopsy may be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment is usually not required unless the growths become irritated or are unsightly.
If treatment is needed, growths may be removed with surgery or freezing (cryotherapy).
Removing the growths is simple and usually does not result in scars. However, growths on the trunk often leave the skin lighter colored.
In rare cases, a person who gets many growths very quickly may have gastric cancer.
Growths usually do not return after they are removed, but people who are prone to this condition may develop more growths in the future.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of seborrheic keratosis.
Also call if you develop new symptoms, including:
Benign skin tumors - keratosis; Keratosis - seborrheic; Senile keratosis