Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus: variant of basal cell carcinoma or trichoblastoma? Case report

G Chir. 2011 Jun-Jul;32(6-7):326-8.

Abstract

Introduction: Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus (FeP) is a rare tumor that most often affects women aged between 40 and 60 years. Clinically FeP presents as a soft, usually solitary, polypoid or papillomatous well circumscribed tumor of skin color. It is typically located to the trunk and extremities.

Case report: A 75 year old male presented to our Department complaining for the presence of a lesion of the dorsal region. His medical history was free except for several basal cell carcinoma (BCC) surgically excised. Clinical examination revealed a pigmented lesion in the back. The lesion was surgically excised and histopathology showed of a fibroepithelioma of Pinkus.

Discussion: Currently, FeP is considered a rare variant of basal cell carcinoma, with characteristic histopathological features, although this view is somewhat controversial as some authors considered FeP to be a variant of trichoblastoma. The pathogenesis of FeP is still under investigation. It is thought that a mutation in the tumor suppressor gene TP53 might predispose to the development of FeP.

Conclusions: Our case is interesting for two reasons. First, in our case FeP is pigmented. Moreover we present a case of Fep in a patient with a history of BCC, a finding that supports the classification of fibroepithelioma of Pinkus as a variant of basal cell carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Basal Cell / classification
  • Neoplasms, Basal Cell / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Fibroepithelial / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*