Lesions
Lesions are defined as any tissue damage resulting from various causes such as disease, physical trauma, cancer, autoimmune reactions, or genetic abnormalities. The symptoms of lesions can include pain and reduced function, and they can occur in any part of the body. Lesions are categorized based on their location and whether they are primary (developing independently) or secondary (resulting from another issue). Examples of primary skin lesions include cuts, hives, and cancers, while secondary lesions can include scabs and scars. While many lesions, such as minor skin irritations, are benign, others can pose significant health risks, like cancerous lesions or severe internal damage such as ulcers. Treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the lesion, ranging from topical creams for skin lesions to surgical interventions for more serious conditions. Understanding lesions and their potential impacts is critical for effective diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the need for timely medical attention in certain cases.
Lesions
ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: All
DEFINITION: Any tissue damaged by injury or disease.
CAUSES: Disease, physical trauma, cancer, autoimmune action, genetic abnormality
SYMPTOMS: Pain, reduced function
DURATION: Various
TREATMENTS: Medication, surgery
Causes and Symptoms
“Lesion” is the general term describing any damage to tissue. Lesions result from some insult to the body, which may take many forms, including physical injury from an accident; intentional surgical incisions to treat a disorder; bacterial, parasitic, or viral disease, such as ringworm or syphilis; stomach ulcers caused by excess acid production; an autoimmune reaction, such as arthritis; heart muscle damage during a heart attack; malformations in the circulatory system; or tissue damage caused by a stroke.
Because of this great variety, lesions are often classified by location and by whether they develop on their own (primary) or are related to another (secondary). Primary skin lesions, for example, include cuts and scrapes, pustules, birthmarks, hives, and cancers—anything that changes the color and texture of the skin. Secondary lesions include such things as scabs, scratches from hives, or scars from removing or picking at a primary lesion. Most of these examples are benign, or at least more annoying than harmful. Skin cancers, on the other hand, can be deadly if left untreated.
Likewise, internal lesions vary from benign to deadly. Ulcers of the stomach or may heal on their own, but some worsen and can penetrate the bowel wall, leaking digestive into the body cavity. In addition to cancerous lesions, some types are progressively dangerous, such as the scarring left by or the plaques of multiple sclerosis. Still others require immediate medical attention, such as an in the brain or a puncture of a lung.
Treatment and Therapy
Therapy depends on the type of lesion. Topical ointments or creams, such a cream, soothe the effects of many skin lesions. Lesions caused by a specific disease clear up with the appropriate medication for the disease. Likewise, medications can clear up some internal lesions, such as the antacids or H2-receptor antagonists that reduce stomach-acid production in an attempt to treat ulcers.
Surgery, heat therapy, ultrasound, cautery, chemotherapy, radiation, and laser surgery are used to remove lesions or destroy damaged tissue. Classic examples include removing a polyp in the colon with a cauterizing snare, using radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink a tumor, performing surgery to cut out a melanoma, and suturing a wound.
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