Soft Tissue And Skin Lesions

Common Types

Benign lesions include lipomas (soft, mobile fatty tumors), dermatofibromas (firm, dimple-sign papules), seborrheic keratoses ("stuck-on" waxy plaques), and epidermal cysts. Malignant forms feature basal/squamous cell carcinomas (pearly/scaly nodules), melanomas (asymmetric, irregular borders), and soft tissue sarcomas (deep, painless masses).

Characteristics

Lesions vary: macules (flat discoloration), papules (<1cm raised), nodules (>1cm), plaques (broad elevations). ABCDE rule (asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, diameter >6mm, evolving) flags melanoma risk; dimple sign confirms dermatofibroma.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Clinical exam, dermoscopy, ultrasound guide evaluation; biopsy (punch/shave/excisional) confirms histology. Benign lesions monitored or excised cosmetically; malignancies demand wide excision, sentinel nodes, adjuvant therapy