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Trichoblastic carcinoma: a comprehensive review of the literature

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Abstract

Trichoblastic carcinoma is a rare neoplasm thought to arise from malignant degeneration of benign follicular tumors. Its clinical features, optimal treatment, and outcomes remain largely unknown. We performed a comprehensive review of the existing trichoblastic carcinoma literature. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for keywords related to trichoblastic carcinoma, and additional articles were found in reference lists. Cases with a histopathologic diagnosis of trichoblastic carcinoma were summarized. A total of 93 cases have been described, all in case reports or case series. The average age was 65, with 66.7% of cases in males. A minority of patients had familial tumor syndromes or a history of radiation at the site, and only one was reported to be immunosuppressed. The most common site was the face (48.4%), and the majority developed de novo (87.1%). The clinical presentation was highly variable. Although most cases (82.8%) were successfully treated with surgery alone, a subset of patients had more aggressive disease including local progression or recurrence in five cases, nodal metastases in five cases, and distant metastases in three cases. Trichoblastic carcinoma is a rare malignancy with the potential for aggressive behavior. Further research is needed to better characterize this neoplasm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA

    Michelle A. Boettler

  2. Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Kathryn T. Shahwan, Nadia Y. Abidi & David R. Carr

  3. Dermatology, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Easton, PA, USA

    Nadia Y. Abidi

Authors
  1. Michelle A. Boettler
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  2. Kathryn T. Shahwan
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  3. Nadia Y. Abidi
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  4. David R. Carr
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Contributions

DRC and NYA conceptualized the article. NYA performed the initial literature search. NYA, MAB, and KTS performed data analysis. MAB and KTS drafted the manuscript, and DRC critically revised the work. All authors had the opportunity to revise and approve the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to David R. Carr.

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Boettler, M.A., Shahwan, K.T., Abidi, N.Y. et al. Trichoblastic carcinoma: a comprehensive review of the literature. Arch Dermatol Res 314, 399–403 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-021-02241-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-021-02241-y

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