What follow-up is necessary for patients with multiple seborrhoeic keratoses to monitor for changes?

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Posted: 16 August 2025Updated: 16 August 2025 Guideline-Aligned (High Confidence) Clinically Reviewed
Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX

Follow-up for patients with multiple seborrhoeic keratoses:

Routine follow-up is generally not required for patients with multiple seborrhoeic keratoses. However, patients should be advised to monitor their lesions for any changes such as rapid growth, changes in colour, bleeding, itching, or ulceration, and to seek medical review if such changes occur. Clinical review should be considered if there is diagnostic uncertainty or suspicion of malignant transformation, as seborrhoeic keratoses can sometimes be confused with malignant lesions such as melanoma. In primary care, any suspicious lesions should be referred to dermatology for further assessment.

There are no specific routine follow-up intervals recommended solely for multiple seborrhoeic keratoses, but patient education on self-monitoring and prompt reporting of changes is key to early detection of any malignant changes.

Educational content only. Always verify information and use clinical judgement.

What follow-up is necessary for patients with multiple seborrhoeic ker