Dermatology Online Journal

Proliferating trichilemmal cyst with focal calcification
Robert Anolik MD, Bahar Firoz MD, Ruth F Walters MD, Shane A Meehan MD, Hui C Tsou MD, Michael Whitlow MD PhD, Brent Wainwright MD
Dermatology Online Journal 14 (10): 25

Department of Dermatology, New York University

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Abstract

A 64-year-old man presented with a superficial, well-demarcated, skin-colored tumor on the left posterior scalp that measured 4 x 5 x 6 cm. The tumor was nearly hairless, rubbery, non-tender, and mobile over the underlying subcutaneous tissues. The lesion had grown slowly since arising approximately 30 years ago. Treatment options were declined in the past. However, with relatively more rapid growth over the past five years, the nodule began to cause intermittent pain and interfere with the patient's ability to lie on his back. The patient denied a history of similar lesions in himself or his family. A biopsy specimen showed a ruptured proliferating trichilemmal cyst with focal calcification. Complete excision is recommended for all benign proliferating variants owing to their potential for locally aggressive behavior and malignant transformation.

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Figure 1	Figure 2

History

A 64-year-old man presented to the Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System with a scalp nodule that had grown slowly since it arose approximately 30 years ago. Treatment options were declined in the past. Over the past five years, the rapid enlargement of the nodule was associated with intermittent pain that began to interfere with the patient's ability to lie on his back. The patient denied a history of similar lesions in himself or his family.

Medical history includes acne rosacea, diverticulosis, cataracts, retinal detachment, hyperlipidemia, and depression. Current medications include doxycycline, aspirin, and a multivitamin. He has no known drug allergies.

Physical Examination

A superficial, well-demarcated, skin-colored tumor that measured 4 x 5 x 6-cm over a normal skin base was located on the left posterior scalp medial to the mastoid process. The tumor was nearly hairless, rubbery, non-tender, and mobile over the underlying subcutaneous tissues.

Lab

None.

Histopathology

There are multiple, irregularly-shaped lobules and smaller aggregates of squamous epithelium that exhibit tricholemmal keratinization. The surrounding stroma is hyalinized with focal calcification. Granulation tissue is also noted.

Comment

The trichilemmal cyst, which is also known as a pilar cyst or wen, is clinically indistinguishable from the epidermoid cyst [1, 2]. Few clinical features may favor the diagnosis of a trichilemmal cyst although none are pathognomonic. About 90 percent of trichilemmal cysts are found on the scalp and an overlying punctum is normally absent [1, 2]. Trichilemmal cysts tend to be firmer and usually exit more easily through a surgical incision than do epidermoid cysts [1, 2]. Trichilemmal cysts present four to five times less commonly than the epidermoid type [1]. Some theorize that the trichilemmal cyst originates from budding of the external root sheath of hair follicles as a genetically determined aberration [3, 5]. This idea results from the cyst wall's resemblance to the sheath at the level of the follicular isthmus and from an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern that has been observed in some families [3, 5].

Histopathologic examination confirms the diagnosis of a presumed trichilemmal cyst. At the periphery is a fibrous capsule, which surrounds a rim of dark-staining basal cells [3]. More centrally, pale-staining, squamous keratinocytes increase in height until they transform abruptly into solid, eosinophilic-staining keratin [3]. For the most part, the epithelial lining does not form a granular-cell layer [3, 6]. Approximately 25 percent of lesions contain calcification regardless of age, and some may show ossification as well [3, 6].

Rare variants of the trichilemmal cyst should be recognized as a consequence of their prognostic implications. Proliferating trichilemmal cysts arise commonly in women over 60 years of age and can be atypically large, fungating, and ulcerated [3, 7, 8]. They commonly reach large sizes of 2 to 10 cm in diameter but may extend to 25 cm [6, 9]. Trauma and inflammation are among the theories for the transformation of a traditional to a proliferating cyst [10]. The histopathologic features of a proliferating trichilemmal cyst show relatively greater cellular atypia and squamous proliferation [11]. Rarely, malignant proliferating trichilemmal cysts have been described that can result in substantial morbidity and mortality [7]. About 30 well-described cases exist in the English literature [12]. Malignant variants tend to show rapid increase in size beyond 5 cm, development on sites other than the scalp, ulceration, and necrosis [13]. The histopathologic features of this variant include severe cellular atypia and invasion of surrounding tissue; they may demonstrate aneuploidy, loss of CD34 on immunostaining, and loss of wild-type p53 [14, 15, 16].

Trichilemmal cysts may be treated by simple excision if indicated for medical or cosmetic concerns [1, 7]. Complete excision is recommended for all benign proliferating variants owing to their potential for locally aggressive behavior and malignant transformation. Malignant proliferating variants require wide local excision with 1-cm margins or Mohs micrographic surgery [7]. Nodal dissection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy also are considered in malignant cases [7].

References

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