A 65-year-old man comes to the office because he has had an itchy rash for the past 6 weeks that is purple in color on the flexor aspect of each wrist. On physical examination, the lesions are flat and smooth. Biopsy is performed, and lichen planus is confirmed. Which of the following laboratory studies should be done?

Complete blood cell count
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Liver function studies
Urinalysis

Keratoacanthoma

By

Gregory L. Wells

, MD, Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine

Last full review/revision Dec 2020| Content last modified Dec 2020

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Topic Resources

Keratoacanthoma

Large Keratoacanthoma

Keratoacanthomas are round, firm, usually flesh-colored nodules with sharply sloping borders and a characteristic central crater containing keratinous material; they usually resolve spontaneously, but some may be a well-differentiated form of squamous cell carcinoma.

(See also Overview of Skin Cancer.)

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. Common sites are sun-exposed areas, the face, the forearms, and the dorsum of the hands. Spontaneous involution may start within a few months, but involution is not guaranteed.

Biopsy or excision

Because this lesion cannot be relied on to involute, biopsy or excision is recommended.

Surgery or injections of methotrexate or 5-fluorouracil

Spontaneous involution may leave substantial scarring; surgery or intralesional injections with methotrexate or 5-fluorouracil usually yield better cosmetic results, and excision allows histologic confirmation of the diagnosis.

It is unclear whether keratoacanthoma risk increases with increasing ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Because it may, a number of measures are often recommended to limit exposure.

Sun avoidance: Seeking shade, minimizing outdoor activities between 10 AM and 4 PM (when sun's rays are strongest), and avoiding sunbathing and the use of tanning beds
Use of protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, pants, and broad-brimmed hats
Use of sunscreen: At least sun protection factor (SPF) 30 with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, used as directed (ie, reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating); should not be used to prolong sun exposure

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