Content area

Full text

Correspondence to Professor Pedro Cuevas, [email protected]

Background

n

Although seborrhoeic keratoses (SebKs) are very common benign tumours and represent one of the most disfiguring signs of skin ageing, their pathogenesis is poorly understood. Recently activating fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) mutations in the epidermis were shown to be involved in the development of SebKs. It has been shown that dobesilate interferes with the FGF signals. Consequently, it seemed reasonable to test this compound for SebKs treatment.

Case presentation

n

A 70-year-old woman with two SebK lesions in the face (figure 1A) received a daily application of 5% potassium dobesilate cream during 6 months. Complete clearance of the lesions was observed at the end of the treatment. Disappearance of the lesion was not accompanied with appreciable application-site reactions, skin atrophy, disturbances in pigmentation or skin thinning (figure 1B). The patient maintained results at 1 year follow-up visit.

Discussion

n

SebKs are keratinocyte-derived benign skin tumours that never progress to acquire invasive features. SebKs are sharply demarcated brownish plaques with a verrucous surface predominantly localised in the head, neck and trunk, varying in size from a few millimetres to one centimetre or more. The prevalence of SebK increases...

Show less