Oncology ... Today it is the most terrible word that a person can hear from a doctor. However, oncology does not always carry a life-threatening tumor. Each of us has moles. Often, certain formations appear on the skin. This verrucous nevus is a special formation on the skin. Simply put, this is a mole. Her strange appearance on the skin often scares people. Many are confident that every spot can trigger cancer. Is it so? What is the cause of verrucous nevus and should it be treated? Let’s take a closer look.
Verrucous nevus: what is it?
These are benign lesions on the skin that are easily recognized by one external factor: a tuberous surface. Outwardly, it resembles a garland or head of cabbage, which is covered with cracks and folds.
Verrucous nevus (photo below) is prone to bleed and cause ulcers.
In most cases, such formations occur at an early age, sometimes they can be congenital. In adulthood, such a dermatological phenomenon occurs only in 0.5% of the total number of cases. The most dangerous age for the onset of this disease is puberty, it is during puberty.
This disease has alternative names: keratotic, warty, linear, melanomasafe.
Verrucous nevus is more often diagnosed in women. However, the predisposition to the appearance of this type of formation is formed in utero.
Localization of education is different. Usually formed on the legs and arms. However, it may appear on the face. The size of the formation can reach 2 centimeters.
Verrucous nevus: causes
The exact causes of this disease have not yet been established. However, guided by a number of studies, doctors came to the conclusion that all patients with this diagnosis have a feature of the gene structure. This gene is responsible for the work of skin cells. For this reason, moles are laid in the period of the intrauterine state and the development of the fetus.
There are a number of negative factors that provoke the appearance of the disease:
- a sharp change in the hormonal background (mainly in pregnant women);
- the course of an infectious disease of the genitourinary system;
- genetics;
- endocrine system diseases;
- negative impact during embryo development;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- exposure to ultraviolet rays;
- injuries of the skin;
- poor ecological environment.
All of the above circumstances can lead to impaired development of melanoblasts. They accumulate in areas of the skin, and then are converted into benign formations.
Kinds
Specialists distinguish several classifications of nevi. It is immediately necessary to consider the separation of moles by size:
- small nevus - from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm;
- average nevus - up to 10 cm;
- large nevus - more than 10 cm;
- a giant pigmented formation can occupy a large area of the body (the entire limb or more), in rare cases, half of the face or neck.
Nevuses differ in shape:
- Pigmented papillomatous nevus appears immediately after birth. Education significantly rises above the skin. In appearance, it resembles a papilloma. In rare cases, papillomatous formation is malignant.
- Blue nevus.
- Limited melanosis of Dubreux.
- Pigmentary border nevus.
- Nevus Ota.
- Intradermal pigmented nevus (photo below) refers to a benign formation. Almost never transformed into melanoma. In most cases, this is a congenital skin defect.
- Melanocytic dysplastic is a dangerous type of warty mole. Externally, the formation looks like a blurry spot that rises above the surface of the skin.
An important factor in the emergence of this type of education is heredity. Scientifically proven that tanning beds and ultraviolet rays adversely affect the skin. Overuse of them can lead to malignant transformation into melanoma.
A distinctive feature of each formation is its individual structure, localization on the body, and morphological characters. The main decisive factor is the ability to degenerate (malignancy and transformation into melanoma). Conditionally verrucous nevus is a precancerous disease. However, some doctors classify nevuses in a different way: melanopausal and capable of metastasis.
ICD-10 classification
ICD is an international classification of diseases. Verrucous nevus according to ICD-10 has its own species variety. Directly pigmented nevus is usually divided according to localization.
In the ICD, nevus is divided into forms. The first of them is melanoform (D22). The affected area is certain: the scalp, eyelid, ear, other parts of the face, upper and lower limbs. Species classification includes:
- non-tumor nevi (I78.1, exception - individual forms of class D22);
- congenital non-tumor nevi.
ICD-10 also distinguishes acquired warty nevus under the code Q82.5. Pathology usually manifests itself in childhood. Warty spots are located in those places where the skin is constantly injured. The warty nevus has a rough surface. Outwardly resembles a large birthmark. It rises above the skin and has a dark brown or black tint. Verrucous nevus is not malignant. Therefore, it does not bring much danger.
Each of the forms and species has its own characteristic features. Moreover, the treatment method is radically different. Some species are only surgically removed, others physically, and others are not subject to any treatment.
Malignancy: signs of nevus
Nevus can transform into melanoma. Verrucous nevus can cause danger in case of damage under such conditions:
- large nevus size;
- nevus is located on an open area of the skin;
- nevus is localized in natural folds (in the collar zone, on the feet);
- when injuring: cut, prolonged friction.
Nevus transformation is manifested in color. Its qualitative changes are taking place. The color of the native brown color approaches saturated black.
The stain rises above the surface of the skin and begins to bleed. The border of the spot is usually fuzzy, blurry. Accelerated growth of the nevus with the accompanying painful signs is noticeable: itching, tingling, pulling pain, tightening, suppuration, peeling, hair appearance, discoloration and structure. If you feel one of the symptoms, you must urgently consult an oncologist.
Diagnostics
Verrucous nevus is necessarily investigated with a preliminary history (aggregate information about the patient and the form of his disease).
Using these data, it is possible to establish at what age education began to develop and when it stopped growing.
The presence of a malignant formation is established by the method of biopsy and histology. Typical fresh elements are selected for the first study.
Histological examination is carried out after the neoplasm has been removed. Thanks to him, the doctor can clarify histogenesis, the depth of the lesion and the presence of transformations.
Treatment methods
Depending on the specific form of education, the doctor will prescribe removal. Otherwise, accidental injury can cause more growth and infection.
There are other forms of treatment:
- Radio wave removal is considered less traumatic. If the formation is large, then after the procedure you will need to stitch. With this method of treatment, the cells evaporate. The operation is painless. Swelling and redness practically do not occur.
- Laser removal - elimination of the formation of contactless. Using this method, you can remove small formations that are localized on the face, neck and chest.
- The classic surgical technique is considered most relevant if the verrucous nevus is large. The operation is performed under general anesthesia; adult patients undergo local anesthesia.
This type of education is considered safe.
Forecast
Treatment for verrucous nevus is usually performed on a benign formation. Since this disease only in rare cases can transform into a malignant form. In 80% of cases, the prognosis is more than favorable.
In some cases, a doctor’s consultation is necessary if the mole appeared in old age, its size is large and their number has changed dramatically.
Permanent damage, friction of the skin at the site of the nevus adversely affects its structure. Therefore, in order to avoid terrible consequences and complications, you must immediately consult a doctor to remove the formations.