A large exophytic plaque on the shoulder of a skin of color patient

Abstract

A 75-year-old Black man presented for evaluation of a skin lesion on his right shoulder. The lesion had been present for 3 months and was bleeding. A physical exam demonstrated a 2.7 cm exophytic, crusted, blue-to-purple plaque. A shave biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed anastomosing strands of basaloid cells in the dermis, leading to a diagnosis of fibroepithelioma of pinkus (FeP). FeP is a rare variant of basal cell carcinoma. It typically presents as a solitary, pink, pedunculated papule on the lower back, but the presentation can vary. This case contributes to the scarce literature on the occurrence of FeP in skin of color populations. Here, we raise the possibility that FeP may present differently in skin of color patients compared to white patients. Greater clinician awareness can foster improved identification, management, and understanding of FeP in diverse populations.

Keywords: cutaneous neoplasms; fibroepithelioma of Pinkus; skin of color (SOC).