Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus: Solitary tumor or sign of a complex gastrointestinal syndrome.
Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus (FEP), which is considered to be an uncommon variant of basal cell carcinoma, has been described in association with other systemic diseases. However, no specific studies are currently available on this subject. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical and morphological characteristics of FEP and investigate whether this rare tumor is a single entity or seen in the context of a more complex syndrome. We retrospectively analyzed 49 cases of FEP diagnosed and excised in a single academic institution from 1995 to 2011. The tumors were mainly located on the trunk (77.55%), followed by the lower extremities (12.20%) and the head and neck (10.20%). In 9 of the 49 cases (18%), FEP was associated with gastrointestinal tumors. The abovementioned cases are presented in an attempt to make clinicians more aware of a possible association between FEP and gastrointestinal cancer. Although a possible underlying common genetic background between FEP and gastrointestinal tumors was not provided, our study suggests that patients with FEP should be screened for the occurrence of gastrointestinal tumors.
Dermatology and Skin Cancer Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, I-42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Caterina
C
Longo
Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, I-41100 Modena, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Pellacani
Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Medicine and Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, I-41100 Modena, Italy.
Aldo
A
Tomasi
Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, I-41100 Modena, Italy.
Victor Desmond
VD
Mandel
Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Medicine and Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, I-41100 Modena, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Ponti
Cowden syndrome; Gorlin-Goltz syndrome; Patched 1 gene mutations; fibroepithelioma of Pinkus; gastrointestinal tumors; syndromic setting