Common skin tumors in the elderly.

Skin tumors can have an epidermal, melanocytic or mesodermal origin. Lesions frequently encountered in elderly patients include benign tumors such as seborrheic keratoses, lentigo, keratoacanthoma, epidermal cyst and sebaceous hyperplasia. Premalignant and malignant tumors that often occur in the elderly include actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Diagnosis depends on the tumor's characteristics and morphology, although in some cases biopsy is required. Treatment depends on the character of the lesion, its location and the patient's general condition and includes curettage, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, excision and radiotherapy.