|
Keloid disorder results in very hard to treat fibro-proliferative cutaneous connective tissue secondary to dysregulation in various skin repair and healing processes in individuals who are genetically predisposed to this disorder. Although reported in individuals from almost all ethnic backgrounds, the disorder is more common among two distinct and genetically distant populations; Africans / African Americans and Asians. The only groups of individuals who may be spared from developing keloids are albinos, making the case for a relationship between melanin production and susceptibility to keloid formation at least among dark-skinned individuals. Keloid disorder has a very diverse phenotype and can present itself either as a single small spot on the skin of the affected individual, or often involving several areas of the skin. In some patients, keloid lesions can grow and form a large size skin tumor. From the onset of development, each keloid lesion follows its own particular clinical course. Some patients develop only one keloid lesion which only grows to a particular size and it stops growing thereafter. There are also patients who start with one keloid, however, very soon they develop their second, third, fourth and before they know, they have far too many keloids to count. Although keloid disorder has been known for centuries, it is one the most under-researched and poorly understood human medical conditions; and for the most part neglected by the medical research community. This has resulted in our current lack of understanding of various aspects of this disorder, from its genetics, to its epidemiology, from it pathophysiology, to its treatment; and even proper terminology to describe the illness and its cutaneous lesions. Due to this lack of interest in the disorder and paucity of research, much of what is discussed, or even written and published about keloid disorder is not based on hard evidence. Most importantly, this applies to treatment options and long term outcome of these interventions. Lack of understanding of the disorder even reflects itself in terminology used to describe this illness. Terms such as "keloid scarring" or "keloid scars" that are commonly used, even by those who treat keloid patients. These terms do not properly describe this disorder, and erroneously apply a lesser importance to this genetic skin disorder. A genetic condition that results in formation of large skin tumors, or itching, pain and burning sensation, a condition that disables certain patients, and covers 20-30% of their skin, a condition that some treat it with radiation therapy, is not a condition of “skin scarring”. It is indeed a true skin disorder. The National Institute of Health webpage on keloid states that “keloids often do not need treatment.” == Terminology == Term “Keloid Disorder” applies to the disease entity itself, encompassing the whole aspect and various clinical presentation of the disorder. Term “Keloid” is used interchangeably to describe the disease entity, or to refer to the individual keloid lesion. Terms “Keloid Lesion” or “Keloidal Lesion” describe the actual skin lesions that is seen. Term “Keloid Patient” is used to define an individual patient who is suffering from keloid disorder. Term “Acne Keloidalis” of “Acne Keloidalis Nuchae” was described as a unique entity in 1800, to define the type of keloid disorder that presents itself in the occipital scalp or upper posterior neck. This entity is almost exclusively in Africans/African-American men. Term “Keloid Scar” or “Keloid Scarring” is an erroneous term, which is simply misleading, meaningless and non-descriptive of this medical condition and should not be used. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Keloid disorder」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|