It sometimes happens to people before they get squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common type of skin cancer. If the keratoacanthoma is caught early, treatment usually works well. Considerable controversy exists within the field of dermatopathology in differentiating keratoacanthoma (KA) from squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC).

Context Explanation

KAs are rapidly growing, benign squamous tumors that are typically well differentiated. A keratoacanthoma is a rapidly growing skin cancer that usually appears as a volcano-like nodule (a solid bump that is firm to the touch) on the sun-exposed skin of middle-aged or older individuals. They are thought to be a type of squamous cell carcinoma. Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a common, rapidly growing, locally destructive skin tumour.

Insight Material

KAs may regress spontaneously with scarring, but clinically they may be indistinguishable from well- differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the clinical course may be unpredictable. Keratoacanthoma (KA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are two common types of skin lesions that arise from keratinocytes, the primary cells of the skin’s outer layer. These growths can appear remarkably similar to the unaided eye, often causing confusion. Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a relatively common type of skin cancer. In general, KA is considered a low grade or well-differentiated type of squamous cell carcinoma; however, it tends to grow rapidly over a few weeks to months, locally invading surrounding tissues.

Final Conclusion

Keratoacanthomas are round, firm, usually flesh-colored nodules with sharply sloping borders and a characteristic central crater containing keratinous material; they usually resolve spontaneously, but some may be a well-differentiated form of squamous cell carcinoma. Tumor is composed of bland squamous cells with abundant eosinophilic or glassy cytoplasm and enlarged hyperchromatic to vesicular appearing nuclei Mitotic activity and cellular atypia are usually seen at the periphery of tumor