Benign Lesion (Skin Tags, Warts, Moles, Dermatofibroma)

Skin Tags

Soft flesh coloured or pigmented pedunculated tags in body folds (neck, armpit, groin)
Especially in obese patients and in those with type 2 diabetes

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Seborrhoeic Keratoses (warts)

– Yellow / brown greasy papules or rough grey / black hyperkeratotic papules with ‘stuck-on’ appearance
– Keratin plugs or inclusion cysts may help differentiate from melanoma
– Often multiple

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Dermatofibroma

Firm reddish brown nodules often on the limbs. May be tender on pressure
If the skin over a dermatofibroma is squeezed a dimple forms, indicating tethering of the skin to the underlying fibrous tissue

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Benign Melanocytic Naevi (moles)

– Flat or raised, symmetrical, uniform border, uniform pigment, pale, dark or reddish brown
– May darken/enlarge during pregnancy. If hairy may become inflamed (folliculitis)

R.C 18-05-24

Dermatology Referral Criteria

Referral of patients with benign tumours may be appropriate if there is:

Diagnostic doubt or concerns over possible malignancy.
If there is no diagnostic doubt and the lesion is causing significant functional disability or recurrent trauma/infection then please refer to your locality minor surgery service (see Refhelp page on Minor Surgery).
Benign lesions which are disfiguring or are cosmetically sensitive should be referred to plastics through the EARP (see AestheticSurgery.aspx).

Kindly inform patients prior to referral that if a skin lesion is diagnosed as benign, it highly unlikely to be removed in secondary care for cosmetic reasons alone.

Please do not refer lesions that are known to be benign to the dermatology department for cryotherapy.