Care of the skin at midlife: diagnosis of pigmented lesions

Geriatrics. 1997 Aug;52(8):56-8, 67-8; quiz 69.

Abstract

Intrinsic skin changes with advancing years include dryness, decreasing elasticity, increasing skin fragility, and more prominent vasculature. Extrinsic skin aging, caused primarily by cigarette smoking and exposure to sunlight, includes mottled pigmentation and yellow discoloration, rough leathery textural changes, and wrinkling. Major premalignant and malignant neoplasms in photodamaged skin are actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Nonmalignant lesions include solar lentigines and seborrheic keratoses. The A, B, C, D criteria can assist in the evaluation of pigmented nevi. Physicians play an important role in educating patients about the health risks associated with excessive sun exposure and about sun protection to prevent further skin damage.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / etiology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / diagnosis
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pigmentation Disorders / diagnosis
  • Pigmentation Disorders / pathology
  • Skin Aging
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / etiology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Sunlight / adverse effects