U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Skin tags

MedGen UID:
11452
Concept ID:
C0037293
Neoplastic Process
Synonym: Acrochordons (skin tag)
SNOMED CT: Tag (80801001); Skin tag (201091002); Achrochordon (201091002); Soft papilloma (201091002); SKT - Skin tag (201091002); Soft fibroma (201091002); Fibroepithelial polyp (31069005); Fibroepithelial papilloma (31069005); Skin tag (31069005); Acrochordon (31069005); Cutaneous tag (31069005); Cutaneous polyp (31069005)
 
HPO: HP:0010609
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0004026

Definition

Cutaneous skin tags also known as acrochorda or fibroepithelial polyps are small benign tumors that may either form secondarily over time primarily in areas where the skin forms creases, such as the neck, armpit or groin or may also be present at birth, in which case they usually occur in the periauricular region. [from HPO]

Conditions with this feature

Gorlin syndrome
MedGen UID:
2554
Concept ID:
C0004779
Neoplastic Process
Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is characterized by the development of multiple jaw keratocysts, frequently beginning in the second decade of life, and/or basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) usually from the third decade onward. Approximately 60% of individuals have a recognizable appearance with macrocephaly, frontal bossing, coarse facial features, and facial milia. Most individuals have skeletal anomalies (e.g., bifid ribs, wedge-shaped vertebrae). Ectopic calcification, particularly in the falx, is present in more than 90% of affected individuals by age 20 years. Cardiac and ovarian fibromas occur in approximately 2% and 20% of individuals respectively. Approximately 5% of all children with NBCCS develop medulloblastoma (primitive neuroectodermal tumor), generally the desmoplastic subtype. The risk of developing medulloblastoma is substantially higher in individuals with an SUFU pathogenic variant (33%) than in those with a PTCH1 pathogenic variant (<2%). Peak incidence is at age one to two years. Life expectancy in NBCCS is not significantly different from average.
Aicardi syndrome
MedGen UID:
61236
Concept ID:
C0175713
Disease or Syndrome
Aicardi syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects primarily females. Initially it was characterized by a typical triad of agenesis of the corpus callosum, central chorioretinal lacunae, and infantile spasms. As more affected individuals have been ascertained, it has become clear that not all affected girls have all three features of the classic triad and that other neurologic and systemic defects are common, including other brain malformations, optic nerve abnormalities, other seizure types, intellectual disability of varying severity, and scoliosis.
Pai syndrome
MedGen UID:
371972
Concept ID:
C1835087
Disease or Syndrome
Pai syndrome is characterized by mild hypertelorism, midline cleft lip, nasal and facial polyps, pericallosal lipoma, ocular anomalies, and normal neuropsychologic development (Guion-Almeida et al., 2007).
Bartsocas-Papas syndrome 1
MedGen UID:
337894
Concept ID:
C1849718
Disease or Syndrome
Bartsocas-Papas syndrome-1 (BPS1) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by multiple popliteal pterygia, ankyloblepharon, filiform bands between the jaws, cleft lip and palate, and syndactyly. Early lethality is common, although survival into childhood and beyond has been reported (summary by Mitchell et al., 2012). Genetic Heterogeneity of Bartsocas-Papas Syndrome Bartsocas-Papas syndrome-2 (BPS2) is caused by mutation in the CHUK gene (600664). A less severe form of popliteal pterygium syndrome (PPS; 119500) is caused by mutation in the IRF6 gene (607199).
Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome
MedGen UID:
377668
Concept ID:
C1852406
Disease or Syndrome
Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome (BSTVS) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by the furrowed skin disorder of cutis gyrata, acanthosis nigricans, craniosynostosis, craniofacial dysmorphism, digital anomalies, umbilical and anogenital abnormalities, and early death (summary by Przylepa et al., 1996).
Deafness with labyrinthine aplasia, microtia, and microdontia
MedGen UID:
342803
Concept ID:
C1853144
Disease or Syndrome
Congenital deafness with labyrinthine aplasia, microtia, and microdontia (LAMM syndrome) is characterized by: profound bilateral congenital sensorineural deafness associated with inner ear anomalies (most often bilateral complete labyrinthine aplasia); microtia (type I) that is typically bilateral (although unilateral microtia and normal external ears are observed on occasion); and microdontia (small teeth). Individuals with LAMM syndrome commonly have motor delays during infancy presumably due to impaired balance from inner ear (vestibular) abnormalities. Growth, physical development, and cognition are normal.
PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome with granular cell tumor
MedGen UID:
400984
Concept ID:
C1866376
Neoplastic Process
Severe achondroplasia-developmental delay-acanthosis nigricans syndrome
MedGen UID:
393098
Concept ID:
C2674173
Congenital Abnormality
SADDAN dysplasia (severe achondroplasia with developmental delay and acanthosis nigricans) is a very rare skeletal dysplasia characterized by the constellation of these features. Radiology reveals 'ram's horn' shaped clavicles and reverse bowing of lower limbs. Approximately half of patients die before the fourth week of life secondary to respiratory failure (summary by Zankl et al., 2008).
Chromosome 6pter-p24 deletion syndrome
MedGen UID:
393396
Concept ID:
C2675486
Disease or Syndrome
Distal monosomy 6p is responsible for a distinct chromosome deletion syndrome with a recognizable clinical picture including intellectual deficit, ocular abnormalities, hearing loss, and facial dysmorphism.
Cowden syndrome 5
MedGen UID:
767432
Concept ID:
C3554518
Disease or Syndrome
PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS) encompasses a range of clinical findings in which the core features are congenital or early-childhood onset of segmental/focal overgrowth with or without cellular dysplasia. Prior to the identification of PIK3CA as the causative gene, PROS was separated into distinct clinical syndromes based on the tissues and/or organs involved (e.g., MCAP [megalencephaly-capillary malformation] syndrome and CLOVES [congenital lipomatous asymmetric overgrowth of the trunk, lymphatic, capillary, venous, and combined-type vascular malformations, epidermal nevi, skeletal and spinal anomalies] syndrome). The predominant areas of overgrowth include the brain, limbs (including fingers and toes), trunk (including abdomen and chest), and face, all usually in an asymmetric distribution. Generalized brain overgrowth may be accompanied by secondary overgrowth of specific brain structures resulting in ventriculomegaly, a markedly thick corpus callosum, and cerebellar tonsillar ectopia with crowding of the posterior fossa. Vascular malformations may include capillary, venous, and less frequently, arterial or mixed (capillary-lymphatic-venous or arteriovenous) malformations. Lymphatic malformations may be in various locations (internal and/or external) and can cause various clinical issues, including swelling, pain, and occasionally localized bleeding secondary to trauma. Lipomatous overgrowth may occur ipsilateral or contralateral to a vascular malformation, if present. The degree of intellectual disability appears to be mostly related to the presence and severity of seizures, cortical dysplasia (e.g., polymicrogyria), and hydrocephalus. Many children have feeding difficulties that are often multifactorial in nature. Endocrine issues affect a small number of individuals and most commonly include hypoglycemia (largely hypoinsulinemic hypoketotic hypoglycemia), hypothyroidism, and growth hormone deficiency.
Cowden syndrome 6
MedGen UID:
767433
Concept ID:
C3554519
Disease or Syndrome
\n\nThe features of Cowden syndrome overlap with those of another disorder called Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome. People with Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome also develop hamartomas and other noncancerous tumors.  Some people with Cowden syndrome have relatives diagnosed with Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, and other affected individuals have the characteristic features of both conditions. Based on these similarities, researchers have proposed that Cowden syndrome and Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome represent a spectrum of overlapping features known as PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (named for the genetic cause of the conditions) instead of two distinct conditions.\n\nSome people do not meet the strict criteria for a clinical diagnosis of Cowden syndrome, but they have some of the characteristic features of the condition, particularly the cancers. These individuals are often described as having Cowden-like syndrome. Both Cowden syndrome and Cowden-like syndrome are caused by mutations in the same genes.\n\nCowden syndrome is associated with an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, particularly cancers of the breast, a gland in the lower neck called the thyroid, and the lining of the uterus (the endometrium). Other cancers that have been identified in people with Cowden syndrome include kidney cancer, colorectal cancer, and an agressive form of skin cancer called melanoma. Compared with the general population, people with Cowden syndrome develop these cancers at younger ages, often beginning in their thirties or forties. People with Cowden syndrome are also more likely to develop more than one cancer during their lifetimes compared to the general population. Other diseases of the breast, thyroid, and endometrium are also common in Cowden syndrome. Additional signs and symptoms can include an enlarged head (macrocephaly) and a rare, noncancerous brain tumor called Lhermitte-Duclos disease. A small percentage of affected individuals have delayed development, intellectual disability, or autism spectrum disorder, which can affect communication and social interaction.\n\nAlmost everyone with Cowden syndrome develops hamartomas. These growths are most commonly found on the skin and mucous membranes (such as the lining of the mouth and nose), but they can also occur in the intestine and other parts of the body. The growth of hamartomas on the skin and mucous membranes typically becomes apparent by a person's late twenties.\n\nCowden syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by multiple noncancerous, tumor-like growths called hamartomas and an increased risk of developing certain cancers.
Seckel syndrome 10
MedGen UID:
934614
Concept ID:
C4310647
Disease or Syndrome
Any Seckel syndrome in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the NSMCE2 gene.
FG syndrome 1
MedGen UID:
1768809
Concept ID:
C5399762
Disease or Syndrome
MED12-related disorders include the phenotypes of FG syndrome type 1 (FGS1), Lujan syndrome (LS), X-linked Ohdo syndrome (XLOS), Hardikar syndrome (HS), and nonspecific intellectual disability (NSID). FGS1 and LS share the clinical findings of cognitive impairment, hypotonia, and abnormalities of the corpus callosum. FGS1 is further characterized by absolute or relative macrocephaly, tall forehead, downslanted palpebral fissures, small and simple ears, constipation and/or anal anomalies, broad thumbs and halluces, and characteristic behavior. LS is further characterized by large head, tall thin body habitus, long thin face, prominent nasal bridge, high narrow palate, and short philtrum. Carrier females in families with FGS1 and LS are typically unaffected. XLOS is characterized by intellectual disability, blepharophimosis, and facial coarsening. HS has been described in females with cleft lip and/or cleft palate, biliary and liver anomalies, intestinal malrotation, pigmentary retinopathy, and coarctation of the aorta. Developmental and cognitive concerns have not been reported in females with HS. Pathogenic variants in MED12 have been reported in an increasing number of males and females with NSID, with affected individuals often having clinical features identified in other MED12-related disorders.
Craniofacial microsomia 2
MedGen UID:
1830923
Concept ID:
C5781610
Congenital Abnormality
Most patients with craniofacial microsomia-2 (CFM2) exhibit isolated unilateral or bilateral grade III microtia, with or without aural atresia, although some patients exhibit only minor external ear defects. Mandibular hypoplasia, micrognathia, and dental anomalies have also been observed (Quiat et al., 2023; Mao et al., 2023). For a general phenotypic description and discussion of genetic heterogeneity of craniofacial microsomia, see CFM1 (164210).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Bouguen G, Siproudhis L, Bretagne JF, Bigard MA, Peyrin-Biroulet L
Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010 Aug;16(8):1431-42. doi: 10.1002/ibd.21261. PMID: 20310013
Krupashankar DS; IADVL Dermatosurgery Task Force
Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2008 Jan;74 Suppl:S61-7. PMID: 18688106
Hermanns-Lê T, Scheen A, Piérard GE
Am J Clin Dermatol 2004;5(3):199-203. doi: 10.2165/00128071-200405030-00008. PMID: 15186199

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Alvarez-Downing MM, da Silva G
Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2022 Jan 1;38(1):61-66. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000795. PMID: 34636364
Schonauer F, Guastafierro A, Grasso E, Izzo S, Nicoletti GF, D'Andrea F
Eur J Pediatr Surg 2021 Jun;31(3):273-275. Epub 2020 Jun 8 doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1712931. PMID: 32512592
Scheinfeld NS
Clin Dermatol 2004 Jul-Aug;22(4):303-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2004.01.001. PMID: 15475230
Singh B, McC Mortensen NJ, Jewell DP, George B
Br J Surg 2004 Jul;91(7):801-14. doi: 10.1002/bjs.4613. PMID: 15227686
Errickson CV, Matus NR
Am Fam Physician 1994 Feb 15;49(3):605-10. PMID: 8310967

Diagnosis

Lightner AL
Dis Colon Rectum 2020 Aug;63(8):1023-1026. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000001748. PMID: 32692067
Charifa A, Ko CJ
Arch Pathol Lab Med 2019 Jul;143(7):890-892. Epub 2018 Dec 28 doi: 10.5858/arpa.2018-0055-RS. PMID: 30605023
Moog U
J Med Genet 2009 Nov;46(11):721-9. Epub 2009 Jul 1 doi: 10.1136/jmg.2009.066068. PMID: 19574261
Scheinfeld NS
Clin Dermatol 2004 Jul-Aug;22(4):303-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2004.01.001. PMID: 15475230
Nabarro JD
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1987 Apr;26(4):481-512. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1987.tb00805.x. PMID: 3308190

Therapy

Lightner AL
Dis Colon Rectum 2020 Aug;63(8):1023-1026. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000001748. PMID: 32692067
Schlichte MJ, Downing CP, Ramirez-Fort M, Gordon R, Tyring S
Dermatol Online J 2014 Jul 15;20(7) PMID: 25046467
Yang J, Cui PJ, Han HZ, Tong DN
World J Gastroenterol 2013 Aug 7;19(29):4799-807. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i29.4799. PMID: 23922480Free PMC Article
Singh B, McC Mortensen NJ, Jewell DP, George B
Br J Surg 2004 Jul;91(7):801-14. doi: 10.1002/bjs.4613. PMID: 15227686
Morales MS, Marini M, Caminero M, Caglio P
Int J Dermatol 2000 Aug;39(8):616-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2000.00022.x. PMID: 10971732

Prognosis

Kim H, Lee DI, Moon SK, Park SJ, You MW
Eur J Radiol 2023 Oct;167:111046. Epub 2023 Aug 15 doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.111046. PMID: 37634442
Zaki AM, Elshahed AR, Diab MR, Hasan MS, Elsaie ML
J Cosmet Dermatol 2022 Apr;21(4):1547-1553. Epub 2021 Jun 1 doi: 10.1111/jocd.14240. PMID: 34008290
Schonauer F, Guastafierro A, Grasso E, Izzo S, Nicoletti GF, D'Andrea F
Eur J Pediatr Surg 2021 Jun;31(3):273-275. Epub 2020 Jun 8 doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1712931. PMID: 32512592
Scheinfeld NS
Clin Dermatol 2004 Jul-Aug;22(4):303-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2004.01.001. PMID: 15475230
Singh B, McC Mortensen NJ, Jewell DP, George B
Br J Surg 2004 Jul;91(7):801-14. doi: 10.1002/bjs.4613. PMID: 15227686

Clinical prediction guides

Zaki AM, Elshahed AR, Diab MR, Hasan MS, Elsaie ML
J Cosmet Dermatol 2022 Apr;21(4):1547-1553. Epub 2021 Jun 1 doi: 10.1111/jocd.14240. PMID: 34008290
Plascencia Gómez A, Vega Memije ME, Torres Tamayo M, Rodríguez Carreón AA
Actas Dermosifiliogr 2014 Mar;105(2):178-85. Epub 2013 Nov 12 doi: 10.1016/j.ad.2013.09.008. PMID: 24238328
Bonheur JL, Braunstein J, Korelitz BI, Panagopoulos G
Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008 Sep;14(9):1236-9. doi: 10.1002/ibd.20458. PMID: 18452201
Singh B, McC Mortensen NJ, Jewell DP, George B
Br J Surg 2004 Jul;91(7):801-14. doi: 10.1002/bjs.4613. PMID: 15227686
Nabarro JD
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1987 Apr;26(4):481-512. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1987.tb00805.x. PMID: 3308190

Recent systematic reviews

Bustan RS, Wasim D, Yderstræde KB, Bygum A
Dan Med J 2017 Jan;64(1) PMID: 28007053
Kazemzadeh Z, Manzari ZS, Pouresmail Z
Int Nurs Rev 2017 Jun;64(2):263-275. Epub 2016 Dec 9 doi: 10.1111/inr.12320. PMID: 27933638
Simillis C, Thoukididou SN, Slesser AA, Rasheed S, Tan E, Tekkis PP
Br J Surg 2015 Dec;102(13):1603-18. Epub 2015 Sep 30 doi: 10.1002/bjs.9913. PMID: 26420725
Beswick R, Driscoll C, Kei J
Ear Hear 2012 Nov-Dec;33(6):745-56. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0b013e31825b1cd9. PMID: 22955247
Chen JS, You JF
Chang Gung Med J 2010 Sep-Oct;33(5):488-500. PMID: 20979699

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.
    • Bookshelf
      See practice and clinical guidelines in NCBI Bookshelf. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Consumer resources

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...