Malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor of the scalp: a case report

Dermatol Online J. 2008 Aug 15;14(8):11.

Abstract

Background: Malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor is a rare skin tumor that affects mainly older women. It mimicks differential squamous cell carcinoma and its biological behavior is unpredictable.

Objective: To report on a new case of malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor of the scalp and to describe the clinical and histopathologic findings.

Methods: A tumor measuring 2 cm was surgically excised with a 0.5 cm conservative margin of normal tissue

Results: Based on the histopathologic findings of tumor, this case was diagnosed as proliferating trichilemmal tumor of the scalp. Eleven months after tumor resection, the patient is free of disease.

Conclusion: Malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor is a rare malignant lesion with an unpredictable biological behavior. After wide excision, long term clinical follow up of the patient for early diagnosis of metastases is judicious.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis
  • Cell Division
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Basal Cell / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Basal Cell / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Basal Cell / surgery
  • Scalp / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery