Malignant pilomatricoma
Malignant Pilomatricoma
Malignant pilomatricoma (pronounced: mal-ig-nant pi-lo-ma-tri-co-ma), also known as pilomatrix carcinoma, is a rare type of skin cancer that originates from the hair follicle cells.
Etymology
The term "malignant pilomatricoma" is derived from the Latin words "malignus" meaning harmful, "pilo" referring to hair, and "matrix" meaning origin. The term "carcinoma" is derived from the Greek words "karkinos" meaning crab and "oma" meaning tumor, referring to the crab-like spread of the cancer.
Definition
Malignant pilomatricoma is a rare, aggressive variant of pilomatricoma, a benign skin tumor that originates from the hair matrix. Unlike pilomatricoma, malignant pilomatricoma has the potential to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize to other parts of the body.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of malignant pilomatricoma is a rapidly growing, painful skin nodule. The nodule is often firm, irregular, and may be ulcerated. It most commonly occurs on the head, neck, or upper extremities.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of malignant pilomatricoma is typically made through a combination of clinical examination, imaging studies, and histopathological examination of a biopsy specimen. The histopathological features of malignant pilomatricoma include atypical cells, high mitotic rate, and invasion of surrounding tissues.
Treatment
Treatment of malignant pilomatricoma typically involves surgical excision of the tumor with a wide margin to ensure complete removal. In cases where the tumor has metastasized, additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be required.
Prognosis
The prognosis of malignant pilomatricoma is variable and depends on factors such as the size and location of the tumor, the presence of metastasis, and the patient's overall health.
Related Terms
- Pilomatricoma: A benign skin tumor that originates from the hair matrix.
- Skin cancer: A broad term for a group of cancers that originate from the skin.
- Metastasis: The spread of cancer from the original (primary) site to other parts of the body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Malignant pilomatricoma
- Wikipedia's article - Malignant pilomatricoma
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