Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a common, rapidly growing, locally destructive skin tumour. KAs may regress spontaneously with scarring, but clinically they may be indistinguishable from well- differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the clinical course may be unpredictable. What Is a Keratoacanthoma?

Understanding the Context

A keratoacanthoma is a fast-growing, dome-shaped bump that often has a scab-like plug in the center. It usually appears on skin that gets a lot of sun, like your face, neck, arms or hands. It’s pronounced “ker-a-to-ac-an-tho-ma.” Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a common cutaneous tumor characterized by rapid growth and possible spontaneous regression.

Key Insights

It most commonly affects older, fair-skinned males with significantly sun damaged skin. Several variants have been described and are subdivided by solitary and multiple KA forms. A keratoacanthoma (KA) is a rapidly evolving tumour of the skin, composed of keratinising squamous cells originating in pilosebaceous follicles and resolving spontaneously if untreated. Distribution. Clinical features.

Final Thoughts

Dermoscopic features (hover over terminologies for description) are often similar to those of an SCC, and may include: Etiology of keratoacanthoma is unknown. Most experts consider these lesions to be well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas with a tendency to involute. Development is rapid. Usually the lesion reaches its full size, typically 1 to 3 cm but sometimes > 5 cm, within 1 or 2 months. keratoacanthoma is benign (no. harmful).

WHAT CAUSES A KERATOACAN. HOMA? The precise cause of KA is not known. However, environmental factors such as sun-exposure, smoking, older age, skin injury or a suppressed immune sys.