Pathogenesis and Treatment of Keloids

Abstract

Keloids are chronic inflammatory fibrous tumors that cause excessive production of such extracellular macromolecules as collagen, due to the overexpression of various growth factors and cytokines. The etiology of keloids is unknown. They cause pain and itching, which together with the red mass leads to physical and mental stress in patients. No definitive treatment for keloids has been established, although various treatment methods have been reported, and the current consensus is that the recurrence of keloids cannot be completely suppressed. Elucidation is awaited of the pathologic mechanism of keloid development and identification of signal transduction pathways that will help establish a molecular targeted therapy for keloids.