Seborrheic keratosis

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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

Your doctor can usually diagnose seborrheic keratosis by inspecting the growth. To confirm the diagnosis or to rule out other skin conditions, your doctor may recommend removal for examination under a microscope, but this is not usually necessary.

Typically, a seborrheic keratosis doesn't become cancerous, but it can resemble skin cancer. If your doctor suspects skin cancer, he or she will take a small sample of your skin (biopsy) for analysis in a lab. A biopsy can usually be done in a doctor's office.

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References
  1. Thomas VD, et al. Benign epithelial tumors, hamartomas, and hyperplasias. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=2981822. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
  2. Seborrheic keratoses. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec10/ch127/ch127h.html. Accessed Sept. 16, 2010.
  3. Seborrheic keratoses. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_seb_keratoses.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
  4. Habif TP. Benign skin tumors. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00029-8&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1054258674&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00029-8--s0010&uniqId=218874618-7#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00029-8--s0010. Accessed Sept. 16, 2010.
  5. Seborrheic keratoses. American Osteopathic School of Dermatology. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/seborrheic_keratos.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
  6. Culbertson GR. 532-nm diode laser treatment of seborrheic keratoses with color enhancement. Dermatologic Surgery. 2008;34:525.
DS00846 Nov. 23, 2010

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