Benign+Keloid

Keloids are an abnormal form of scarring, a fibroproliferative disorder. They are found on individuals with darker pigmentation and are thought to effect more women than men, due to cosmetic reasons. 1 The average age of onset for getting Keloids is 10-30 years old, and people older then 65 rarely see this complication. 1 || Keloids typically show up as an unsightly mass of excessive tissue that formed from a type of skin trauma such as: infection, burns or even surgical wounds. Keloids may become itching and/or painful. 3 || A clinical examination is all that's necessary to diagnose a keloid. 4 || Histologically, keloids can be characterized as a collection of fibroblasts containing excessive amounts of collagen, fibronectin, elastin, proteoglycans. They mostly contain thick, abundant collagen bundles that form nodules in the deep dermal portion of the lesion. Keloids are only present on the skin. 5 ||
 * **Epidemiolgy:** || Spencer
 * **Etiology:** || Pablo The formation of keloids is not yet fully understood. The fact that some people will suffer from this condition and others will not still remains somewhat of a mistery. Changes in the cellular signals that control growth have been suggested. 2 ||
 * **Signs & Symptoms:** || Becky
 * **Diagnostic Procedures:** || Adam
 * **Histology:** || Megan
 * **Lymph node drainage:** || Kevin Tsai

Keloids do not travel along the lymphatic system. 6 || Keloids are benign growths and do not metastasis to other areas. || There is no know grading system for Keloid’s. || At this time there is no staging system for Keloids || Depending on the location of the keloid, would depend on the side effects. Typically, the side effects that patients receive from radiation treatment are erythema. || Keloids are benign and do not pose any major health risk. || The best treatment is for patients with a known predisposition to scarring or developing keloids, to prevent unnecessary trauma or surgery (including ear piercing, elective mole removal), whenever possible. Any acne, infections, burns, or abrasions should be treated as early as possible to minimize potential keloid development.4 Radiation is also used to treat keloids. Although is controversial due to the fear of potential carcinogenic side effects, if a surgical site is irradiated immediately after surgery, the area is less likely to develop a keloid. The proliferation of the scar tissue (collagen, fibronectin, elastin, and proteoglycans) is diminished with radiation, but the patient is left with the ability to successfully heal. ||
 * **Metastatic spread:** || Erin
 * **Grading:** || Spencer
 * **Staging:** || Pablo
 * **Radiation side effects:** || Becky
 * **Prognosis:** || Adam
 * **Treatments:** || Megan
 * **TD 5/5:** || Kevin Tsai

TD 5/5 is not associated with Keloids. 5 ||
 * **References:** || 1. Keloid. Epocrates Online Web Site. []. Accessed July 8, 2013.

2. MedicineNet.com. Web site. []. Accessed July 10, 2013.

3. Chao KSC, Perez CA, Brady LW. Hodgkin’s disease. In: Chao KSC, Perez CA, Brady LW, eds. //Radiation Oncology Management Decisions//. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 2011: 779-793.

4. Keloid Scars. Patient.co.uk Web Site. http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Keloid-Scars.htm. Accessed July 13, 2013.

5. Keloid. Wikipedia website.[]. Last modified June 26, 2013. Accessed July 11, 2013.

6. Chao C, Perez C, Brady L. Radiation Oncology Management Decisions. 3rd ed. PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2011:783-784. || Back to Week 7