Keloid Management: Insights and Strategies

Keloids, often found on the chest, shoulders, back, and ears, are characterized by their firm, raised nature, extending beyond the boundaries of the original injury. Eva Kerby, MD, in her Dermatology Week Fall 2023 session, “Understanding and Minimizing Keloids,” emphasized the importance of early intervention, which may involve a combination of treatments such as steroid injections, radiation therapy, and more. “Surgical removal is considered in select cases, although it carries the risk of keloid recurrence,” she stated.

Dr Kerby is an assistant professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, NY. The learning objectives of her presentation included reviewing the pathophysiology and epidemiology of keloids; discussing tips for treatment with intralesional triamcinolone (Kenalog); and exploring other less commonly utilized treatments, such as 5-fluorouracil, cryotherapy, and radiation therapy.

“Intralesional Kenalog injection (ILK) is still the gold standard treatment,” she noted. “5-fluorouracil plus ILK is a great, effective second-line therapy.”

“Employ other treatment options like cryotherapy or excision with adjuvant therapy on a case-by-case basis,” Dr Kerby concluded. “We need better systemic therapy to prevent further growth of existing keloids, recurrence of excised keloids, and the development of new keloids.”

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Reference
Kerby E. Understanding and minimizing keloids. Presented at: Dermatology Week; September 20–22; Virtual.