Lesions are patches on the skin that may look and feel different to the surrounding healthy skin.
They might be discoloured, demonstrate a change in texture, or change over time, or in some cases, they might even be virtually undetectable.
While some lesions might be relatively harmless and just look unsightly, they can often be precancerous, or even cancerous. This is why having skin lesions assessed as quickly as possible is critical, so they can be properly treated.
Moles
Moles are a common type of skin growth that usually appear during childhood and adolescence, but which can continue developing into adulthood. Moles are often small, dark brown spots that are caused by clusters of pigmented melanin cells, and they can change in appearance, or fade over time. More Info>
Benign Lesions
A benign lesion is a non-cancerous growth or abnormality on or inside the body that does not spread to other parts.
Cherry Angiomas
Cherry angiomas can appear anywhere on the body but are most often found on the trunk, chest, shoulders, arms, and scalp
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Sebaceous hyperplasia commonly affects middle-aged and older adults, though it can occur earlier, particularly in people with oily or sun-damaged skin.
Venous Lakes
Venous lakes are very common in middle-aged and older adults, particularly those with fair or sun-exposed skin.
Pre Cancerous Lesions
Precancerous lesions are patches of skin that may look and feel different to the surrounding healthy skin. They can be discoloured, demonstrate a change in texture, or change over time.
While some lesions might be benign and just look unsightly, they can often be precancerous – meaning they are known to have a higher risk of eventually becoming skin cancer as they develop. This is why having skin lesions assessed as quickly as possible is critical, so they can be properly treated.
Actinic Keratoses
Actinic keratoses, sometimes known as ‘solar keratoses’, are dry, scaly or rough patches of skin caused by damage from years of sun exposure.
Bowen's Disease
While the disease itself is not usually serious, the concern is that it is a precancerous form of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Cancerous Lesions
Cancerous lesions are patches of skin affected by skin cancer. They may look and feel different to the surrounding healthy skin, or there might be few visible differences. They can be discoloured, have asymmetrical borders, demonstrate a change in texture, or develop other changes over time.
There are 3 different types of cancerous lesions; the more common types, basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas; and the rarer malignant melanomas. While there are options for their treatment, it’s best to have cancerous lesions treated as soon as possible to reduce the chances of them developing further, and affecting adjacent healthy tissues.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinomas typically present as a small shiny pink, or pearly white lump, which may have a ‘waxy’ or translucent appearance.
Malignant Melanomas
Melanoma is the rarest type of skin cancer, accounting for around 5% of all skin cancers; but it is also the most aggressive, and it can spread to other parts of the body.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Non-melanoma skin cancers are still serious and require specialist medical attention and treatment by a medical expert.
Related Specialists at Derma
Dr Inge Kreuser-Genis
Consultant Dermatologist
Dr Kreuser-Genis is a UK trained Consultant Dermatologist who practices in Reading and Oxford. She is fully trained in both paediatric and adult dermatology.