Current RMA Instruments
| Reasonable Hypothesis SOP | 19 of 2024 |
| Balance of Probabilities SOP | 20 of 2024 |
Changes from previous Instruments
ICD Coding:
- ICD-10-AM Codes: L82
Brief description
A seborrhoeic keratosis is a common type of benign (harmless) skin lesion similar to a mole. They tend to appear as people age and can vary in colour but are often scaly and raised. Seborrhoeic keratoses are often found on the face, chest, shoulders or back. A person may have multiple lesions.
Confirming the diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually made on the characteristic clinical appearance (appearing stuck on). Excision and histology may be required to differentiate from a skin cancer in some cases.
The relevant medical specialist is a dermatologist, but a specialist report will not generally be required.
Additional diagnoses that may be covered by these SOPs
- Basal cell papilloma
- Dermatosis papulosa nigra
- Pigmented Seborrhoeic keratosis
- Seborrheic wart
- Senile wart
- Stucco keratosis
- Leser–Trélat sign sign/disease
Conditions excluded from these SOPs
- Malignant melanoma of the skin *
- Naevus #
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis *
- Seborrhoeic psoriasis *
- Solar keratosis *
* another SOP applies- the SOP has the same name unless otherwise specified
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset
Seborrhoeic keratoses usually develop after the age of 50, but may also occur in younger adulthood. Clinical onset will be when a relevant skin lesion was first noticed.
Clinical worsening
Treatment is generally not required. Removal may be undertaken on cosmetic grounds or if the location of the lesion makes it susceptible to friction trauma. The appearance of further keratoses wil generally represent a natural history rather than clinical worsening.