Neoplastic skin lesions in the elderly patient.

The skin undergoes a lifetime of degenerative changes with the potential for genetic mutations occurring from exposure to solar radiation. Benign neoplasms afflict virtually every individual over the age of 65, and more often than not afflicted individuals carry large numbers of growths. Malignant neoplasms, which can create significant morbidity, are increasing in parallel to an increase in prevalence. Although public health measures emphasize prevention through limitation of exposures, the efficacy of sunscreen use is undocumented in the prevention of basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Development of effective, evidence-based prevention measures should be the focus of future research. The different neoplastic lesions in the elderly population are reviewed.