Module 3 - Skin & Soft Tissue Lesions

Diagnosis

A.) History

  • Duration (congenital vs. acquired)
  • Rate of onset and growth; frequency of eruption
  • Location
  • Symptoms; aggravating and alleviating factors
  • Previous treatment
  • Dermatological history
  • Family history
  • Medications and allergies
  • Occupation, hobbies.

B.) Physical Exam

For Skin Lesions:

  • Colour
  • Dimensions (size and shape)
  • Borders (regular or irregular margins)
  • Elevation (Raised or flat)
  • Location
  • Surface Characteristics (Blanches with pressure)
  • Firmness
  • Pain

Uniformly coloured, small, round, circumscribed lesions are usually benign. Irregularly coloured, larger, asymmetric, lesions with indistinct borders and ulceration are more likely to be malignant.

For Soft Tissue Lesions:

  • Size
  • Shape
  • Depth
  • Firmness
  • Mobility
  • Location
  • Pain
  • Smooth vs. irregular margins

Small, subcutaneous, mobile lesions are usually benign. Larger, deeper lesions that are tethered or fixed to deep structures are usually aggressive or malignant.

Author: SP Zinn