Porokeratosis and cutaneous malignancy. A review.
BACKGROUND
Porokeratosis is a disorder of epidermal keratinization manifested clinically by a raised border and histologically by a cornoid lamella. While cutaneous malignancy has been reported to arise in porokeratosis, the risk remains unknown. In the past it has been associated with a history of radiation therapy.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to estimate the frequency of cutaneous malignancy arising in porokeratosis and define those patients who are at highest risk.


METHODS
All cases in the English language literature in the last 30 years were reviewed.


RESULTS
Twenty-one (7.5%) of 281 cases reported revealed a malignancy arising within porokeratosis. Large lesions, those of long-standing duration, and the linear type were at greatest risk. Radiation therapy was an infrequently identified risk factor.


CONCLUSIONS
Porokeratosis is a premalignant condition, with certain groups of patients at greatest risk for malignant transformation.
Sasson
M
M
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Krain
A D
AD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017499:Porokeratosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*