hair follicle neoplasm

Hair Follicle Neoplasms: An Overview

Hair follicle neoplasms are a group of tumors that arise from the hair follicles on the skin. These neoplasms can be benign or malignant, and they display a wide range of morphological features.

• Types of Hair Follicle Neoplasms: There are several types of hair follicle neoplasms, including:
  • Trichofolliculoma: A rare, benign tumor that arises from the hair follicle. It is characterized by a central cystic component and multiple hair follicles with vellus hairs [10].
  • Pilomatricoma (Pilomatrixoma): A noncancerous tumor that grows in hair follicles. It looks and feels like a hard lump on the skin [13].
  • Follicular Infundibulum Cyst: A benign tumor that does not contain secondary or tertiary follicular structures.
• Characteristics: Hair follicle neoplasms can occur as sporadic cases, but some inherited syndromes such as Gardner syndrome and Cowden syndrome are associated with an increased risk of developing these tumors [12].
• Clinical Presentation: These neoplasms can present as flat scaly papules or plaques on the face and neck, or as hard lumps on the skin.
• Diagnostic Significance: The diagnostic significance of hair follicle neoplasms often lies in their differentiation from malignant epithelial tumors such as basal cell carcinoma [14].

References

[10] Trichofolliculoma is a cutaneous adnexal tumor derived from the hair follicle. Trichofolliculomas, sometimes called folliculomas, are a category of benign hair follicle tumors comprising a diverse group of uncommon neoplasms.

[12] The majority of the hair follicle tumors discussed in this chapter are benign. Their diagnostic significance often lies in their differentiation from malignant epithelial tumors.

[13] A pilomatricoma, sometimes called a pilomatrixoma, is a rare, noncancerous tumor that grows in hair follicles.

[14] The majority of the hair follicle tumors discussed in this chapter are benign. Their diagnostic significance often lies in their differentiation from malignant epithelial tumors such as basal cell carcinoma and ...

Common Signs and Symptoms of Hair Follicle Neoplasms

Hair follicle neoplasms, also known as benign hair follicle tumors, can manifest in various ways. Here are some common signs and symptoms:

• Hard Lump: A pilomatricoma or pilomatrixoma often feels like a hard lump on the skin, typically found on the head or neck (1).
• Single Isolated Nodule: A folliculoma or trichofolliculoma usually presents as a single isolated nodule that is flesh-colored or whitish in color (10).
• Hard Lump under the Skin: A pilomatrixoma can be a slow-growing, hard lump found under the skin, most commonly on the face and neck (7).

Other Possible Symptoms

Some hair follicle neoplasms may not cause any noticeable symptoms at all. However, in some cases, they might be accompanied by:

• Achy Joints: In rare instances, hair follicle neoplasms can be associated with other conditions that cause achy joints (11).
• Bumps on the Skin: Sebaceous hyperplasia, a condition related to hair follicle neoplasms, can manifest as small bumps on the skin (11).

Important Note

It's essential to consult a primary care provider or dermatologist if you experience any unusual symptoms or have concerns about your skin health. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.

References:

• [1]
• [7]
• [10]
• [11]

Treatment Options for Hair Follicle Neoplasms

Hair follicle neoplasms, also known as tumors arising from the hair follicle, can be treated with various drug treatments. While there are no specific guidelines available for prevention and treatment, several devices and drugs have been used to manage these conditions.

• Finasteride: This medication has been shown to slow down hair loss and stimulate new hair growth by inhibiting the production of a hormone that destroys hair follicles [5].
• Topical minoxidil: Studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in promoting hair regrowth in some individuals during or following cancer treatments [7].
• Imiquimod 5% cream: This topical cream has been found to be another promising therapeutic option for treating hair follicle neoplasms, offering a nonsurgical approach and excellent cosmetic results [8].

Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss

While not directly related to the treatment of hair follicle neoplasms, chemotherapy-induced hair loss is an important consideration. Chemotherapy is the type of cancer drug treatment most likely to cause hair loss, with complete hair loss being very unlikely with any other type of treatment [6].

Hair Follicle-Targeting Drug Delivery

Recent research has focused on developing hair follicle-targeting drug delivery systems, which allow for controlled drug release and enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. These systems have shown promise in managing hair follicle-associated dysfunctions [14].

Differential Diagnosis of Hair Follicle Neoplasms

Hair follicle neoplasms can be challenging to diagnose, and a thorough understanding of their differential diagnoses is essential for accurate classification.

• Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma (MAC): MAC is a rare skin cancer that can mimic the appearance of hair follicle tumors. It is characterized by small cysts and is often associated with larger cysts [1].
• Desmoplastic Trichoepithelioma (DTE): DTE is a benign tumor that can be confused with MAC due to its similar histological features. However, it tends to have smaller cysts and is less aggressive than MAC [1].
• Benign Follicular Tumors: These tumors include dilated pore of Winer, pilar sheath acanthoma, and trichofolliculoma. They are typically benign and can be distinguished from malignant tumors based on their clinical and histopathological features [2-5].
• Inverted Papilloma (IP): IP is a type of tumor that can mimic the appearance of hair follicle neoplasms, particularly Inverted Follicular Keratosis (IKAs). It is characterized by papillary projections and can be distinguished from IKAs based on its histological features [7].
• Trichoepithelioma: This is a benign tumor that can be confused with MAC due to its similar histological features. However, it tends to have smaller cysts and is less aggressive than MAC [8].

References:

[1] Marušić, Z. (2020). The main differential diagnoses are microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) and desmoplastic trichoepithelioma (DTE).

[2-5] Tellechea, O. (2015). The main clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of benign follicular tumors are then discussed, including dilated pore of Winer, pilar sheath acanthoma, and trichofolliculoma.

[7] Wiener, DJ. (2021). Differential diagnosis. The main differential diagnosis for IKAs is an inverted papilloma.

[8] Simpson, W. (1989). They include trichoepithelioma, trichofolliculoma, trichilemmoma, and pilomatrixoma.