Keratoacanthoma 

  • Author: Tsu-Yi Chuang, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 18, 2011
 

Background

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a relatively common low-grade malignancy that originates in the pilosebaceous glands and closely and pathologically resembles squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In fact, strong arguments support classifying keratoacanthoma as a variant of invasive SCC.[1] In most pathology/biopsy reports, dermatopathologists refer to the lesion as "squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma-type."

Keratoacanthoma is characterized by rapid growth over a few weeks to months, followed by spontaneous resolution over 4-6 months in most cases. Keratoacanthoma reportedly progresses, although rarely, to invasive or metastatic carcinoma; therefore, aggressive surgical treatment often is advocated. Whether these cases were SCC or keratoacanthoma, the reports highlight the difficulty of distinctly classifying individual cases.[2, 3, 4, 5]

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Pathophysiology

Both sunlight and chemical carcinogens have been implicated as pathologic factors in growth of the tumor. Trauma, human papilloma virus, genetic factors, and immunocompromised status also have been implicated as etiologic factors.

Keratoacanthoma (KA) and conventional SCC share very similar epidemiological features, which suggests a possible common pathogenesis, such as actinic damage.[6] Interestingly, in Palm Springs, California, this author has seen more patients with SCC/keratoacanthoma than straightforward SCC. In population-based studies in Kauai, Hawaii, keratoacanthoma and SCC had a comparable incidence (106 cases per 100,000 population for keratoacanthoma and 118.2 cases per 100,000 population for SCC).[6, 7] Most keratoacanthomas and SCCs developed on head/neck and limbs (keratoacanthoma, 78%; SCC, 85%). The incidence of keratoacanthoma and SCC increased significantly after age 64 years. The average age of patients was 67 years in keratoacanthoma and 66 years in SCC. Male-to-female ratios for both conditions were similar, at 2:1.[6]

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

The sole published study on keratoacanthoma in a white US population took place in Hawaii and estimated the incidence at 104 cases per 100,000. This study reported keratoacanthoma incidence equal to SCC and challenged the commonly reported incidence ratio of keratoacanthoma to SCC of 1:3. Peak incidence occurs in the seventh decade or beyond. Keratoacanthoma is uncommon in darker-skinned patients.[6, 8, 9, 10]

International

Based on the Hawaiian data, the incidence of keratoacanthoma in ethnic Japanese, Filipino, and Hawaiian populations has been estimated to be 22, 7, and 6 cases per 100,000 population, respectively, approximately one fifth to one sixteenth of the incidence rate found in American whites. In other studies, the ratio of keratoacanthoma to SCC has ranged from 1:0.6 to 1:5 in different geographic locations.[6, 8, 9, 10]

Mortality/Morbidity

Keratoacanthoma is believed to have a good prognosis; however, it has been reclassified as SCC-KA type to reflect the difficulty in histologic differentiation, as well as the uncommon but potentially aggressive nature of keratoacanthoma. Keratoacanthoma infrequently presents as multiple tumors and may enlarge (5-15 cm), become aggressive locally, or rarely, metastasize.[11, 12]

Race

Keratoacanthoma is less common in darker-skinned individuals.

Sex

The male-to-female ratio for keratoacanthoma is 2:1.

Age

Keratoacanthoma has been reported in all age groups, but incidence increases with age. Keratoacanthoma is rare in persons younger than 20 years.

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Proceed to Clinical Presentation
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Tsu-Yi Chuang, MD, MPH  Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California; Staff Dermatologist, Desert Oasis Healthcare

Tsu-Yi Chuang, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and International Society of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Ryan Brashear, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine

Ryan Brashear, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Susan M Swetter, MD  Director, Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program, Professor, Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System

Susan M Swetter, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, Pacific Dermatologic Association, Society for Investigative Dermatology, Society for Melanoma Research, and Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John G Albertini, MD  Consulting Staff, Dermatologic Surgery, The Skin Surgery Center; Program Director, ACGME Accredited Fellowship in Procedural Dermatology

John G Albertini, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology

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, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Manstein CH, Frauenhoffer CJ, Besden JE. Keratoacanthoma: is it a real entity?. Ann Plast Surg. May 1998;40(5):469-72. [Medline].

  2. Schwartz RA. Keratoacanthoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jan 1994;30(1):1-19; quiz 20-2. [Medline].

  3. Magalhães RF, Cruvinel GT, Cintra GF, Cintra ML, Ismael AP, de Moraes AM. Diagnosis and follow-up of keratoacanthoma-like lesions: clinical-histologic study of 43 cases. J Cutan Med Surg. Jul-Aug 2008;12(4):163-73. [Medline].

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  6. [Best Evidence] Chuang TY, Reizner GT, Elpern DJ, Stone JL, Farmer ER. Keratoacanthoma in Kauai, Hawaii. The first documented incidence in a defined population. Arch Dermatol. Mar 1993;129(3):317-9. [Medline].

  7. [Best Evidence] Chuang TY, Reizner GT, Elpern DJ, Stone JL, Farmer ER. Squamous cell carcinoma in Kauai, Hawaii. Int J Dermatol. Jun 1995;34(6):393-7. [Medline].

  8. [Best Evidence] Chuang TY, Reizner GT, Elpern DJ, Stone JL, Farmer ER. Non-melanoma skin cancer and keratoacanthoma in Filipinos: an incidence report from Kauai, Hawaii. Int J Dermatol. Oct 1993;32(10):717-8. [Medline].

  9. [Best Evidence] Reizner GT, Chuang TY, Elpern DJ, Stone JL, Farmer ER. Keratoacanthoma in Japanese Hawaiians in Kauai, Hawaii. Int J Dermatol. Dec 1995;34(12):851-3. [Medline].

  10. [Best Evidence] Reizner GT, Chuang TY, Elpern DJ, Stone JL, Farmer ER. Basal cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma in Hawaiians: an incidence report. J Am Acad Dermatol. Nov 1993;29(5 Pt 1):780-2. [Medline].

  11. Frank TL, Maguire HC Jr, Greenbaum SS. Multiple painful keratoacanthomas. Int J Dermatol. Sep 1996;35(9):648-50. [Medline].

  12. Sanders S, Busam KJ, Halpern AC, Nehal KS. Intralesional corticosteroid treatment of multiple eruptive keratoacanthomas: case report and review of a controversial therapy. Dermatol Surg. Oct 2002;28(10):954-8. [Medline].

  13. Letzel S, Drexler H. Occupationally related tumors in tar refinery workers. J Am Acad Dermatol. Nov 1998;39(5 Pt 1):712-20. [Medline].

  14. Miot HA, Miot LD, da Costa AL, Matsuo CY, Stolf HO, Marques ME. Association between solitary keratoacanthoma and cigarette smoking: a case-control study. Dermatol Online J. Feb 28 2006;12(2):2. [Medline].

  15. Hsi ED, Svoboda-Newman SM, Stern RA, Nickoloff BJ, Frank TS. Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in keratoacanthomas by polymerase chain reaction. Am J Dermatopathol. Feb 1997;19(1):10-5. [Medline].

  16. Lu S, Syrjänen SL, Havu VK, Syrjänen S. Known HPV types have no association with keratoacanthomas. Arch Dermatol Res. Mar 1996;288(3):129-32. [Medline].

  17. Clausen OP, Beigi M, Bolund L, et al. Keratoacanthomas frequently show chromosomal aberrations as assessed by comparative genomic hybridization. J Invest Dermatol. Dec 2002;119(6):1367-72. [Medline].

  18. Kim DK, Kim JY, Kim HT, Han KH, Shon DG. A specific chromosome aberration in a keratoacanthoma. Cancer Genet Cytogenet. Apr 1 2003;142(1):70-2. [Medline].

  19. Meffert JJ. Cutaneous sporotrichosis presenting as a keratoacanthoma. Cutis. Jul 1998;62(1):37-9. [Medline].

  20. Patel NP, Cervino AL. Treatment of keratoacanthoma: Is intralesional methotrexate an option?. Can J Plastic Surg. Summer 2011;(19)2:e15-8.

  21. Sayama S, Tagami H. Treatment of keratoacanthoma with intralesional bleomycin. Br J Dermatol. Oct 1983;109(4):449-52. [Medline].

  22. Annest NM, VanBeek MJ, Arpey CJ, Whitaker DC. Intralesional methotrexate treatment for keratoacanthoma tumors: a retrospective study and review of the literature. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jun 2007;56(6):989-93. [Medline].

  23. Dendorfer M, Oppel T, Wollenberg A, Prinz JC. Topical treatment with imiquimod may induce regression of facial keratoacanthoma. Eur J Dermatol. Jan-Feb 2003;13(1):80-2. [Medline].

  24. Grob JJ, Suzini F, Richard MA, et al. Large keratoacanthomas treated with intralesional interferon alfa-2a. J Am Acad Dermatol. Aug 1993;29(2 Pt 1):237-41. [Medline].

  25. Canas GC, Robson KJ, Arpey CJ. Persistent keratoacanthoma: challenges in management. Dermatol Surg. Dec 1998;24(12):1364-9. [Medline].

 
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Keratoacanthoma (squamous cell carcinoma-keratoacanthoma or SCC-KA type) on inner canthus.
Keratoacanthoma of the left forehead.
Close-up view of the keratoacanthoma.
Keratoacanthoma lesion (squamous cell carcinoma-keratoacanthoma or SCC-KA type).
 
 
 
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