Trichilemmoma Workup

  • Author: William P Baugh, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 23, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

If clinical evidence of Cowden syndrome is present, the following tests may be considered in establishing the diagnosis and in searching for potential malignancies:

  • Triiodothyronine and thyroxine serum levels
  • CBC count with differential
  • Electrocardiogram
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Imaging Studies

No imaging studies are needed for the evaluation of a trichilemmoma. However, the following imaging studies may be of use when completing a workup for Cowden syndrome:

  • Mammography
  • Thyroid scan
  • Upper and lower GI imaging series
  • Chest radiography
  • Radiographs of the long bones, the pelvis, and the skull
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Procedures

A skin biopsy is used to establish the diagnosis of a trichilemmoma. A shave biopsy is most commonly performed (see Histologic Findings below).

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Histologic Findings

The following are histologic features found in a trichilemmoma (see the images below); these features assist in establishing the diagnosis:

  • The epidermis usually reveals hyperkeratosis, mild acanthosis, and, occasionally, a cutaneous horn.
  • A lobular or platelike epidermal growth projecting downward into the dermis
  • Cells high in the epidermis may be vacuolated and contain coarse keratohyaline granules.
  • Cells located toward the center of the lobular growth are often pale staining or have clear cytoplasm. These cells contain glycogen and are periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive but diastase labile.
  • Cells at the periphery of the tumor are more basophilic and exhibit palisading.
  • An eosinophilic hyaline basement membrane zone surrounds the tumor. This eosinophilic rim is PAS positive and diastase resistant.
  • Foci of epidermal keratinization with formation of squamous eddies may be present.
  • A desmoplastic variant demonstrates central sclerotic collagen breaking the center of the tumor into small irregular islands.Low-power histologic view of a trichilemmoma. Low-power histologic view of a trichilemmoma. Mid-power histologic view of a trichilemmoma. Mid-power histologic view of a trichilemmoma.

The histologic differential diagnosis includes a hidroacanthoma simplex, which usually demonstrates ductal differentiation. A clear basal cell carcinoma should also be considered but can be excluded based on the presence of mucinous stroma, mitoses, and peripheral palisading with an absence of an eosinophilic hyaline cuticle. In tumor tissue in mice, nestin immunoreactivity was observed in immunoreactivity but not in basal cell carcinoma.[20]

Other epithelial neoplasms, such as the tumor of the follicular infundibulum (see the image below), may be considered in the differential diagnosis. Trichilemmal carcinoma may be considered, but excluded, based on its invasive growth pattern and many mitoses. An immunohistochemical study of cytokeratins suggests that an absence of cytokeratins 15 and 16 in trichilemmal carcinoma may be related to transformation from trichilemmoma to its trichilemmal carcinoma.[21]

Tumor of the follicular infundibulum. Tumor of the follicular infundibulum.

Several reports have stated that the use of CD34 immunostaining in tumors completely or partially differentiated toward the external root sheath of the hair follicle, such as trichilemmoma.[22]

Desmoplastic trichilemmoma demonstrates a biphasic growth pattern, having features of a lobulated tumor and cells that form narrow, irregular cords, which penetrate into the dermis. The stroma surrounding the tumor cords appears sclerotic. An inflammatory cell infiltrate is often seen surrounding the epithelial strands of the tumor. Because of these features, differentiating this tumor from an invasive squamous cell carcinoma or a sclerosing basal cell carcinoma is important.[23] CD34 expression has been particularly useful in the differentiation of desmoplastic trichilemmoma from other cutaneous tumors with dense collagenous stroma.[24]

Low-power histologic view of a desmoplastic trichiLow-power histologic view of a desmoplastic trichilemmoma. High-power histologic view of a desmoplastic trichHigh-power histologic view of a desmoplastic trichilemmoma.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

William P Baugh, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of California Irvine School of Medicine and Western School of Medicine; Medical Director, Full Spectrum Dermatology; Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, St Jude Medical Center

William P Baugh, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and Christian Medical & Dental Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Cynthia L Chen DO  Intern, Pacific Hospital of Long Beach, California

Cynthia L Chen DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Osteopathic Association, American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, California Medical Association, and Los Angeles County Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David Barnette Jr, MD  Voluntary Associate Clinical Professor, University of California San Diego School of Medicine

David Barnette Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatopathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

James H Kerr, MD  Former Head (Retired), Department of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center at San Diego

James H Kerr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Pacific Dermatologic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Walter D Kucaba, DO  Private Family Practice, Simpsonville, South Carolina

Walter D Kucaba, DO is a member of the following medical societies: Aerospace Medical Association, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David P Fivenson, MD  Associate Director, St Joseph Mercy Hospital Dermatology Program, Ann Arbor, Michigan

David P Fivenson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Medical Dermatology Society, Michigan Dermatological Society, Michigan State Medical Society, Photomedicine Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Wound Healing Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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A patient with trichilemmoma papules on the face.
Low-power histologic view of a trichilemmoma.
Mid-power histologic view of a trichilemmoma.
Low-power histologic view of a desmoplastic trichilemmoma.
High-power histologic view of a desmoplastic trichilemmoma.
Tumor of the follicular infundibulum.
Clinical image of the face of a patient with Cowden syndrome.
Clinical image of the oral mucosa of a patient with Cowden syndrome.
Clinical image of palmar keratoses in a patient with Cowden syndrome.
Clinical image of sclerotic fibroma in a patient with Cowden syndrome.
Clinical image of multiple trichilemmomas in a patient with Cowden syndrome.
 
 
 
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