Benign Pigmented Lesions in Older Adults: A Field Guide

Gordon E. Searles, OD, MD, MSc, FRCPC, FACP, Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Western Canada Dermatology Institute, Edmonton, AB.

Practitioners are commonly asked about issues of skin and skin disorders. While many skin lesions are benign, it is becoming increasingly important for clinicians to be able to distinguish benign lesions from premalignant or malignant lesions. The goal of this article is to describe the most common forms of benign lesions in older patients and suggest various treatment strategies.

Key words: melanoma, pigmentary, macules, keratosis, ephelides.