Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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General health information

Keratoacanthoma

A keratoacanthoma is a rapidly growing skin lesion that often resembles squamous cell skin cancer. Do not treat it yourself or decide to wait based on its appearance alone. A doctor needs to assess whether referral, a biopsy or removal is needed. Rapid growth, bleeding, crusting or a lesion on sun-damaged skin particularly need medical assessment.

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  • A keratoacanthoma often grows quickly, sometimes within a few weeks.
  • It often resembles a squamous cell carcinoma. Appearance alone cannot safely distinguish them.
  • A doctor must therefore assess the lesion, and referral or removal is often arranged.
  • Do not try to remove it yourself, scratch it open or treat it with harsh substances.
  • Outside office hours, call HAP 9252 for urgent GP care. Call 912 only for an immediate threat to life.

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Further reading

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Squamous cell skin cancerSquamous cell skin cancer often develops on sun-damaged skin. A growing scaly, crusted, bleeding or non-healing lesion needs assessment and usually confirmation with a skin biopsy. Early treatment often cures it.
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LipomaA lipoma is usually a benign, slowly growing lump of fat cells under the skin. It often feels soft, rubbery and movable and does not need removal if it causes no problems. A new lump still needs assessment; rapid growth, a deep or fixed position, pain, neurological loss of function or recurrence after removal does not necessarily fit an ordinary lipoma.
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Skin cancerSkin cancer is a collective name for several malignant skin conditions, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation play a major role, especially on a sunny island like Curaçao. However, skin cancer can affect every skin tone and does not always look like a dark mole. New, growing, bleeding or poorly healing patches need assessment. The diagnosis is usually confirmed by taking a biopsy or removing tissue for examination.