Acanthosis nigricans

Summary

  • A benign skin disease that often reflects underlying medical conditions.
  • Most commonly associated with obesity and insulin resistance.
  • Some cases are associated with underlying malignancy and, where no other association is identified, malignancy is investigated by complete history and examination with relevant diagnostic tests.
  • Treatment of lesions is often not necessary unless they are extensive or cosmetically unacceptable and do not resolve with treatment of the underlying condition.
Last updated: May 21, 2013
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