Definition

A skin tumor is a skin growth that stands out from the surrounding skin. These skin growths can cause anything from no symptoms to severe pain. The skin tumors discussed in this article are benign, meaning they do not spread to other parts of the body. Normally, these tumors do not require any treatment and can be removed surgically.

Specifically, the benign skin tumors that will be discussed in this article are:

• Warts. Warts are small, rough-textured skin growths. Usually, warts are found on the fingers or hands
• Nevus (mole). A mole is a buildup of cells that is darker in color than the skin. Moles can be present from birth, during childhood, or adolescence
• Dermatofibroma. Dermatofibromas are small, round skin growths
• Lipoma. Lipomas are lumps of fat that slowly grow

Causes

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus. It is a fairly common virus with over 150 different types, but only a few can cause warts. The types of HPV that cause warts are typically transmitted through skin contact with people who have warts or through shared items like towels or napkins. The virus then enters the body through skin openings, such as peeling skin around nails or scratches. The habit of biting the finger can cause warts to spread to other parts of the finger. A person's immune response to HPV varies; therefore, not everyone who is exposed to HPV will develop warts.

Nevus can appear at birth or while growing up. The shape of the nevus itself varies and the causes vary. Nevus that develop during childhood, adolescence, adulthood, or old age are usually caused by sun exposure. Nevus is primarily harmless, but some types of nevus can grow into skin cancer (melanoma).

Dermatofibromas are caused by an overgrowth of deep skin tissue (dermis). The exact cause of this excess dermis is unknown. However, this overgrowth usually occurs after a minor injury to the skin, such as a needle prick or insect bite.

The cause of lipoma is not known for certain. However, lipomas typically run in families so that genetic factors may be involved. A lipoma's fat-filled lump is located beneath the fat, between the skin and muscle layers.

Risk factor

Risk factors for warts include:

• Children and young adults, because the body's immune system is not yet fully equipped to fight the virus
• People with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS or people who have recently received organ transplants

Risk factors for nevus can include overexposure to sunlight, for example from outdoor work.

Risk factors for dermatofibromas are mild skin lesions and age. Dermatofibromas are most common among adults aged 20 to 49 years. In addition, they are more common in women compared to men. People with a weakened immune system, such as people with HIV/AIDS or long-term steroid users, are also at a higher risk of developing dermatofibromas.

Risk factors that may increase the incidence of lipoma are:

• 40-60 years old. Lipomas can appear at any age, but they are most common in this age group
• Genetics. Lipomas are usually passed down in families

Symptoms

Warts usually appear on the fingers or hands. They are small, flesh-like bumps that are rough to the touch. Furthermore, warts are frequently accompanied by black spots, which are congealed blood vessels.

Nevus has various types, including:

• Congenital nevus. This type of nevus is present at birth and is commonly referred to as a birthmark. Usually, they are categorized based on their size. They also vary in color, shape, and texture. Some congenital nevus grow to cover a sizable area of the body
• Common nevus. It is a round, smooth, single-color mole. This type of nevus can be present at birth, but it most commonly appears in childhood. It can be flat or dome-shaped, with colors such as pink, tan, or dark brown
• Dysplastic nevus. This is an atypical (unusual) mole. These moles are benign but resemble melanoma skin cancer. They can be various colors, irregularly shaped, or with uneven edges. People with dysplastic nevus have a higher risk of developing melanoma
• Blue nevus. It is a blue-colored mole that can be present from birth or acquired. It is usually flat or dome-shaped, with variations of blue-grey or blue-black color. A blue nevus is commonly found in Asian ancestry
• Nevus agminata. This type of nevus is a group of nevuses located on one part of the body. They may vary in size and appearance

Dermatofibromas are usually rigid bumps on the skin, 7-10 millimeters in size and pink, red, or brown in color. They are usually sensitive to touch but have no other symptoms. This type of tumor usually appears on areas not covered by clothing, such as the arms and legs.

Lipomas can appear anywhere, but usually have the following characteristics:

• Located under the skin. Usually, lipomas appear on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms and thighs
• Soft and rubbery. The lipoma can move easily when touched with a finger
• Generally small in size. Usually, lipomas are less than 5 centimeters in diameter but can grow slowly
• Sometimes accompanied by pain. A lipoma may be painful if it grows and presses on a nerve or if it contains many blood vessels

Diagnosis

Skin tumors vary in shape and can generally be diagnosed by observation. If the doctor is unsure about the type of tumor, he or she may perform a biopsy, which will be examined under a microscope.

Warts can also be scraped to reveal black spots caused by congealed blood vessels. Meanwhile, large and unusual lipomas can be detected using imaging tests such as X-rays, computed tomography scans (CT scans), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to confirm the diagnosis.

Management

Warts typically heal without treatment but may reappear within a year or two near the original site. Salicylic acid can be used to remove warts piece by piece, and cryotherapy or freezing with liquid nitrogen can kill the skin cells in the wart, allowing the body to fight the virus that causes them. Other treatments may include using other acids, minor surgery, or laser therapy.

Nevuses are generally harmless and do not require treatment. If a nevus has the potential to become cancerous, a doctor will perform minor surgery to remove it. This surgery is called an excisional biopsy, and it aims to remove the entire nevus and some of the surrounding skin.

Dermatofibromas usually develop over time and do not resolve on their own. Dermatofibromas can be treated with cryotherapy, corticosteroid injections, laser therapy, or by scraping the top of the skin to flatten the growth. Surgery to completely remove the dermatofibroma is also an option, but this may result in a scar that is more uncomfortable to look at than the tumor itself.

Lipomas usually do not require treatment. However, if the lipoma becomes too bothersome, your doctor may suggest lipoma removal. Removal can be done surgically to remove the excess fat tissue. Lipomas can also be treated with liposuction, which involves removing fat with a large syringe.

Complications

A complication of warts is their spread to other fingers if not treated properly. Meanwhile, a nevus can develop into skin cancer, mainly if its shape, edges, and color are irregular or it grows quickly. Meanwhile, dermatofibromas and lipomas rarely cause complications other than cosmetic (uncomfortable appearance).

Prevention

Prevention of warts is as follows:

• Avoid direct contact with warts, including those on your fingers
• Avoid scratching warts, as this may cause the virus to spread
• Do not use the same nail sander or nail clipper on the warted and healthy part, as the wart can be transmitted to other fingers
• Do not bite your finger. Warts are more common on injured skin. Biting your finger can cause sores that make it easier for the virus to enter the skin
• Avoid brushing, pinching, or shaving the area with the wart

Meanwhile, nevus, dermatofibroma, and lipoma are difficult to prevent due to their unpredictable appearance.

When to see a doctor?

You should see a doctor for further treatment if you notice a suspicious skin lump or it bothers you. If your mole has an irregular shape, uneven edges, unequal color from one part to another, enlarges quickly, or suddenly itches or bleeds, you should immediately see a doctor. These could be signs of malignancy in the skin.

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