Updated view on epidemiology and clinical aspects of pilomatricoma in adults

Geo Han, Ae Ree Kim, Hae Jun Song, Chil Hwan Oh, Jiehyun Jeon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Clinically, pilomatricoma offers potential for a wide spectrum of differential diagnoses. It typically occurs in pediatric patients with the head being the most common location. A second peak of clinical presentation occurs in adults at age 50–65 years, suggesting a bimodal pattern of occurrence. Objective: To investigate the clinical and epidemiological features of pilomatricoma in adults over 20 years old, as it is a common and frequently misdiagnosed tumor. Methods: This was a retrospective study of pilomatricomas surgically removed at a tertiary hospital between January 1994 and December 2014. A search of the all-pathological database of patients aged over 20 years old with a pathological diagnosis of pilomatricoma was carried out. Results: The clinical preoperative diagnosis of pilomatricoma was made in 34.0% of cases. Tumor location showed a predilection to the head and neck. Of the reported concomitant neoplasm, a majority had accompanying skin tumors. Conclusion: We conclude that clinical features in adults were similar to those of children. This study outlines clinical presentations that should help to guide differential diagnoses. Additionally, because of similarities between the distribution and depth of vellus hair follicles and pilomatricomas, it is probable that vellus hair bulbs may be the origin of this tumor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1032-1036
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal of Dermatology
Volume56
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017 Oct

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 The International Society of Dermatology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology

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