What do cutaneous lesions look like?

They are often bumps or patches, and many issues can cause them. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery describe a skin lesion as an abnormal lump, bump, ulcer, sore, or colored area of the skin. Most skin lesions are harmless, but some can be warnings of skin cancer.

What are cutaneous lesions?

Cutaneous lesions are characterized histologically by the formation of multiple vesicles within the epidermis that contain cell debris, erythrocytes, and rarely syncytial cells.

How do you document a lesion?

To document a patient’s lesion, use the assessment tree to determine the proper terminology. In your documentation, describe the type of lesion, size in millimeters or centimeters, shape, configuration, color, drainage, odor, and color of surrounding skin.

What do precancerous spots look like?

They are also called solar keratosis, sun spots, or precancerous spots. Dermatologists call them “AK’s” for short. They range in size from as small as a pinhead to over an inch across. They may be light or dark, tan, pink, red, a combination of these, or the same color as ones skin.

What causes cutaneous lesions?

Skin lesions can be hereditary, such as moles or birthmarks, or acquired as a result of allergic reactions, medications, sun exposure, and systemic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, some infectious diseases, and cancer, among others.

What causes skin lesions?

How do you describe lesions in pathology?

lesion, in physiology, a structural or biochemical change in an organ or tissue produced by disease processes or a wound.

How do you evaluate skin lesions?

The assessment of a suspicious skin lesion typically begins with a physical examination and inspection of the skin. Many dermatologists use dermoscopy (also known as dermatoscopy epiluminescence microscopy or surface microscopy) to better examine the lesion.

Which skin lesions are malignant?

Features of Four Forms of Malignant Melanoma and Lesions of Similar Appearance

Lesion Location Surface
Superficially spreading malignant melanoma Most common on sun-exposed skin, but can occur anywhere Smooth; vertical growth occurs later
Nodular melanoma Most common on sun-exposed skin, but can occur anywhere Nodular form