Malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor of the scalp: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor is a rare skin tumor that affects mainly older women. It mimicks differential squamous cell carcinoma and its biological behavior is unpredictable.

OBJECTIVE

To report on a new case of malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor of the scalp and to describe the clinical and histopathologic findings.

METHODS

A tumor measuring 2 cm was surgically excised with a 0.5 cm conservative margin of normal tissue

RESULTS

Based on the histopathologic findings of tumor, this case was diagnosed as proliferating trichilemmal tumor of the scalp. Eleven months after tumor resection, the patient is free of disease.

CONCLUSION

Malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor is a rare malignant lesion with an unpredictable biological behavior. After wide excision, long term clinical follow up of the patient for early diagnosis of metastases is judicious.