What is a Pedunculated Lesion?

Lesions of the the epidermal and other surface tissues are often classified based on their characteristics. This includes describing the shape, if the lesion is raised or not, and its color. Because there are many causes for pedunculated lesions which can occur in many areas of the body, different ones may be regarded differently.

Definition

A pedunculated lesion is a small wound that is connected to the underlying tissue by a small stalk. This stalk usually contains blood vessels and other supportive structures. The lesion itself can become swollen, infected, and may be painful.

Benign causes

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One cause of a pedunculated lesion is what is called a pyogenic granuloma. With these, a small wound on the hand can be come irritated, causing the immune system to be activated. The resulting swelling and influx of immune cells will fill the area. Over 1 to 2 weeks they will increase in size, but will eventually go away on their own.

Other conditions leading to penduculated lesions

Penduculated lesions can also be caused by the growth of polyps. A polyp occurs when tissue from a mucous membrane begins to grow abnormally. Often these polyps can be attached by a narrow stalk, causing them to be referred to as pedunculated. Polyps can be found anywhere where there is mucous tissue, but are of most concern in the colon, endometrium, nose, and cervix.

Cancerous potential

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Some penduculated lesions, especially polyps, can be worrisome because they can develop into cancerous tumors. This especially relevant for polyps in the colon, which often are removed by surgeons to help prevent the possibility of cancer. There is also a genetic condition, known as familial hereditary polyposis which produces many polyps which inevitably turn into cancer. Cervical polyps also have the potential to evolve into cervical cancer.

Treatment

The simplest treatment for a pedunculated lesion is simple surgical removal. In some cases, if the lesion is caused due to an inflammatory reaction, corticosteroids may be prescribed. Keeping the affected area clean and well rinsed can help prvent the recurrence of lesions.