A type of harmless skin nodule that commonly occurs in elderly people, most often on the face or arm. The cause is unknown, but many years of exposure to strong sunlight or long-term use of immunosuppressant drugs may be factors. Initially, the nodule resembles a small wart, but it grows to 1–2cm across in about 8 weeks. Although the nodule usually disappears gradually after this, surgical removal is often recommended to prevent scarring.
n. a firm nodule that appears singly on the skin, grows to 1–2 cm across in about 6 weeks, and usually disappears gradually during the next few months. Men are affected more often than women, commonly between the ages of 50 and 70. Keratoacanthomas occur mainly on the face; the cause is not known. Spontaneous healing may leave an unsightly scar; therefore treatment by curettage and cautery, or excision, may be required. The precise relationship of keratoacanthoma to *squamous cell carcinoma is controversial.
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