Is keratoacanthoma a form of cancer?

Keratoacanthoma is currently classified as a low-grade variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). While some keratoacanthomas may regress spontaneously, they cannot be reliably distinguished from invasive SCC on clinical grounds alone, which is why surgical removal and pathological examination are the standard approach.

How fast does keratoacanthoma grow?

Keratoacanthoma is one of the fastest-growing skin tumors. It can reach 1-2 cm in size within 4-8 weeks. This rapid growth is actually one of its distinguishing features and often brings patients to medical attention quickly.

Will keratoacanthoma go away on its own?

Some keratoacanthomas do regress spontaneously over several months. However, waiting for regression is not recommended because it is impossible to distinguish keratoacanthoma from aggressive SCC without pathological examination, and untreated lesions can cause tissue destruction and scarring.

Conditions We Treat

Keratoacanthoma

Keratoacanthoma is a skin lesion that develops relatively quickly, usually in sun-exposed areas. Its behavior is unique: it grows fast and sometimes regresses on its own, but it closely resembles SCC in appearance. Because it's difficult to distinguish between them without examination, the cautious approach is to remove the lesion and send it to pathology. Treatment is usually surgical excision, and sometimes Mohs surgery.

Keratoacanthoma is a rapidly growing skin tumor that typically develops within a few weeks and usually appears on sun-exposed areas. The growth is characterized by a dome-shaped nodule with a central keratin-filled crater. Keratoacanthoma is currently considered a low-grade variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Although some cases may regress spontaneously, the accepted medical approach is to surgically remove the tumor due to its histological similarity to SCC and the risk of invasive behavior. In Israel, due to high UV levels, keratoacanthoma is particularly common in fair-skinned individuals and in people over the age of 50.

Symptoms

Dome-shaped lump that grows rapidly within a few weeks
Central crater filled with keratin (horn-like material)
Appears mainly on sun-exposed areas such as the face, hands, and arms
Skin-colored, reddish, or pinkish in tone
May be tender to the touch but is usually painless

Treatment Options

Surgical excision for complete removal and histological examination
Mohs micrographic surgery for cosmetically sensitive areas
Curettage and electrodesiccation for small lesions
Intralesional methotrexate or 5-FU injection in selected cases
Close follow-up to detect recurrence

Why Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is recommended for keratoacanthoma in cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face, ears, and lips, where preserving healthy tissue is important. The advantage of Mohs surgery is complete real-time margin control, ensuring full tumor removal with maximum tissue preservation.

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This medical content was reviewed and verified by Dr. Yehonatan Kaplan on April 8, 2026