Keratoacanthoma: facts and controversies

doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2009.06.010

PMID: 20541676DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2009.06.010Jun 15, 2010

Keratoacanthoma: facts and controversies

Clinics in Dermatology

Christine J Ko

Abstract

The keratoacanthoma and its variants are clinically and histologically heterogenous. Some consider the keratoacanthoma to be benign, whereas others classify it as a subtype of squamous cell carcinoma. The keratoacanthoma is generally treated rather than observed for spontaneous resolution. This hampers evaluation of the true natural history of lesions diagnosed as keratoacanthoma. In addition, studies have not found a reliable marker to differentiate keratoacanthoma from squamous cell carcinoma. It currently remains unclear how the keratoacanthoma relates to squamous cell carcinoma, and continued investigation is necessary.

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Related Concepts

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Differential Diagnosis

Keratoacanthoma

Remission, Spontaneous

Malignant Neoplasm of Skin

Biological Markers

Evaluation

Subtype (Attribute)

Study

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