A Routine Seborrheic Keratosis

A 59-year-old man became concerned when a long-standing pigmented lesion on the shoulder began to both expand and develop multiple colors.

Key point: The “rough”-appearing surface topography, truncal location, and age of the patient all suggest that this is a routine seborrheic keratosis.

Treatment: A superficial shave excision/biopsy was done to alleviate the patient’s anxiety. The lesion did prove to be a seborrheic keratosis.

Note: Many seborrheic keratoses are multi-colored. Many will also grow larger after a long period of stability. When you are in doubt, or when the patient is very anxious, a biopsy (or conservative removal) is indicated.