Acanthoma

Overview

An acanthoma is a small, reddish bump that usually develops on the skin of an older adult. There are several types of acanthoma, including "acantholytic", "epidermolytic", "clear cell", and "melanoacanthoma". Though most individuals have only one acanthoma, there have been rare reports of individuals who have developed many. Acanthomas are not considered dangerous and do not require treatment, but they may be removed for cosmetic reasons or to relieve any associated symptoms.

Symptoms

• Asymptomatic in early stages
• Skin bump
• Skin sore that won't heal

Causes

The exact cause of acanthoma is not known; it is sometimes called a benign tumor, and sometimes described as the result of inflammation.

Prognosis

The 'prognosis' of Acanthoma usually refers to the likely outcome of Acanthoma. The prognosis of Acanthoma may include the duration of Acanthoma, chances of complications of Acanthoma, probable outcomes, prospects for recovery, recovery period for Acanthoma, survival rates, death rates, and other outcome possibilities in the overall prognosis of Acanthoma. Naturally, such forecast issues are by their nature unpredictable.

Treatment

Acanthomas are considered benign, but treatment may be done for cosmetic reasons or to relieve any associated symptoms. Because acanthomas are quite rare, there are no established guidelines for treatment. Treatment may depend on the type, number, and location of acanthomas. For example, a single acanthoma may be removed by surgery, whereas multiple acanthomas may be treated with cryosurgery or the use of the medication fluorouracil cream.

Resources

• NIH