Melanocytic Panfolliculoma: A Case Report of a Rare Benign Follicular Tumor

Area of Science:

• Dermatopathology
• Oncology
• Hair Follicle Biology

Background:

• Panfolliculomas (PF) are rare, benign neoplasms originating from hair follicle structures.
• Several variants of PF have been documented, highlighting their diverse histopathological presentations.
• Benign follicular tumors can sometimes present with clinical features that mimic malignant neoplasms.

Observation:

• A case study of an 83-year-old male with a pigmented lesion on actinically damaged skin is presented.
• The lesion was clinically suspicious for malignancy, necessitating thorough histopathological examination.
• Histological analysis revealed a tumor with features of infundibular, outer root sheath, and matrical differentiation.

Findings:

• The tumor exhibited significant melanin pigmentation and an increased number of melanocytes.
• These findings suggest a dual differentiation pathway involving both follicular and melanocytic components.
• The tumor was diagnosed as a rare pigmented variant of panfolliculoma.

Implications:

• The proposed designation 'melanocytic panfolliculoma' accurately reflects the observed histopathological features.
• This case expands the spectrum of known panfolliculoma variants.
• Recognizing this variant is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate clinical management, distinguishing it from cutaneous malignancies.