[Tumors associated with nevus sebaceous]

Abstract

Background: Nevus sebaceus (NS) is a congenital hamartomatous lesion, usually involving the scalp or the face. Various benign and malignant neoplasms can develop in association with NS, the most common being trichoblastoma, syringocystadenoma papilliferum, viral warts and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Patients and methods: We retrospectively examined the clinical and histopathological records of 15 NS cases with an associated tumor which were diagnosed between 1996 and 2004.

Results: All cases were adults and 3 of them had more than one tumor. Six cases had BCC, which is a higher incidence of malignant tumor association with NS, than that reported in last years. Trichoblastoma was observed in 3 cases and was the most common benign tumor in our series. Filiform, hyperkeratotic, pigmented, pedunculated and/or eroded papulonodular changes were major clinical signs of secondary tumors on NS in our series.

Conclusion: Clinical features are not sufficient enough to make an exact diagnosis of benign or malignant secondary tumors. Though prophylactic excision for NS is done less in last years, especially adult patients should closely be followed for any new changes evoking tumor development on this congenital lesion.