Seborrheic keratosis

Alternative names:

benign skin tumors (keratosis); keratosis - seborrheic; senile keratosis

Definition:

Benign wart-like growths on the surface of the skin

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Seborrheic keratosis is a benign skin tumor. The origin is unknown, but these tumors are not caused by exposure to sunlight or by viruses. They commonly appear on light-skinned persons after age 40.

They appear as wart-like growths, in a variety of colors. They may appear in large numbers on the surface of the body. They are usually painless and benign, but may become irritated and itch or become uncomfortable because of friction from clothing or rubbing of body surfaces. They may be cosmetically disfiguring and psychologically distressing.