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Rapidly Growing Facial Tumor of Unknown Etiology

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Rapidly Growing Facial Tumor of Unknown Etiology
Eric D. Challgren MD1
Dermatology Online Journal 7(1):24E

1.Department of Dermatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A previously healthy, 35 year old female presented in August of 1999 with a 2.5 cm right cheek tumor that started two months earlier. Six biopsies on separate occasions showed a dense dermal infiltrate of plasma cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils. Tissue stains, tissue cultures, blood chemistries, hematologic studies, flow cytometry and gene rearrangement indicated a benign inflammatory process. The tumor enlarged rapidly, reaching a total diameter of 8.5 cm by mid October, despite treatment that included multiple antibiotics, antifungals, and immunosuppressives. Slow regression was induced by local radiation. This case may represent a benign inflammatory pseudotumor and is presented for diagnosis.

© 2001 Dermatology Online Journal