Trichilemmal carcinoma

Trichilemmal carcinoma is a rare type of skin cancer that originates from the outer root sheath of the hair follicle. It is also known as trichilemmal carcinoma of the skin or trichilemmal skin carcinoma.

Overview

Trichilemmal carcinoma is a malignant variant of the benign trichilemmoma. It is a rare, slow-growing, and locally aggressive tumor that typically occurs on sun-exposed skin, particularly on the head and neck. The tumor is more common in elderly individuals and has a slight female predominance.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of trichilemmal carcinoma is a solitary, firm, and well-demarcated nodule or plaque. The lesion is often ulcerated and may bleed. Pain is not a common symptom unless the tumor is traumatized.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of trichilemmal carcinoma is based on histopathological examination. The tumor cells show clear cytoplasm and distinct cell borders, similar to the cells of the outer root sheath of the hair follicle from which the tumor originates. Immunohistochemical staining can be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

The primary treatment for trichilemmal carcinoma is surgical excision with clear margins. In some cases, Mohs surgery may be used to ensure complete removal of the tumor while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Radiation therapy may be used in cases where surgery is not possible or if the tumor recurs.

Prognosis

The prognosis for trichilemmal carcinoma is generally good, as the tumor is slow-growing and rarely metastasizes. However, the tumor can be locally aggressive and may recur if not completely removed.

See also

• Trichilemmoma
• Skin cancer
• Mohs surgery