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Seborrhoeic Keratosis M016

Document
Last amended 
17 January 2022
Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP55 of 2015
Balance of Probabilities SOP 56 of 2015
Changes from previous Instruments

SOP Bulletin 181

ICD Coding:
  • ICD-9-CM Codes: 702.1
  • ICD-10-AM Codes:  L82
Brief description

A seborrhoeic keratosis is a common type of benign (harmless) skin lesion similar to a mole.  A person may have multiple lesions and they may become more numerous with age.

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 melanoma 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
  • Senile wart
Conditions excluded from these SOPs
  • Malignant melanoma of the skin*
  • Naevus#
  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis*
  • Solar keratosis*

* another SOP applies

# 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.