Cutaneous lymphadenoma

Abstract

Cutaneous lymphadenoma is a rare tumor with distinctive histologic features. This entity was originally described as lymphoepithelial tumor by Santa Cruz and Barr in 1987. It was renamed cutaneous lymphadenoma in 1991. To date, at least 31 cases of this entity have been reported. The literature did not contain a clinical photograph of this lesion. A case of this rare tumor is described that includes clinical and histologic features. The literature regarding the unclear histogenesis of this distinctive tumor is reviewed. This report is one of a only few clinical illustrations of cutaneous lymphadenoma. Consistent with previous reports, the histologic findings in this case include basaloid proliferation and intraepithelial lymphocytes. The usual initial clinical diagnosis is basal cell carcinoma localized mainly to the head and neck area. The incidence is approximately equal in male and female patients. Excision of this benign neoplasm is curative. Controversy exists regarding the histogenesis of this tumor.