Self-healing epitheliomata of Ferguson-Smith: cytogenetic and histological studies, and the therapeutic effect of etretinate.
212 epitheliomata developed in two unrelated women with self-healing epitheliomata of Ferguson-Smith. Most of the lesions appear on the face, often in crops; they enlarge over 4 weeks and, without treatment, resolve over 4 months to leave a ragged scar. One of the patients developed an unusual syringoma, a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid and a mucosal squamous cell carcinoma which failed to involute spontaneously. Cytogenetic studies did not reveal any abnormality of DNA repair. Surgical excision of the epitheliomata is successful but time consuming. X-irradiation should not be used, but cryotherapy of early lesions is helpful. One patient, treated with etretinate for 24 months, has developed only 8 epitheliomata over this time, compared with 23 in the previous 24 months. Etretinate therefore appears to prevent new lesions from developing.
Wright
A L
AL
Department of Dermatology, University of Edinburgh, UK.
Gawkrodger
D J
DJ
Branford
W A
WA
McLaren
K
K
Hunter
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003452:Cryosurgery; D004260:DNA Repair; D005050:Etretinate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
D005050:Etretinate