Giant pilomatrix carcinoma of the scalp with intracranial extension: A case report

Abstract

Key Clinical Message A very rare skin cancer. Malignant variant of pilomatricoma. It is unique because of its highly aggressive behavior. Responds poorly to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Treated with a wide surgical excision with safe margins. Abstract Pilomatrix carcinoma is uncommon and locally aggressive tumor of the hair follicle matrix. It is a malignant variant of pilomatricoma. If left untreated for a long time may attain massive size and has the potential for distant spread. Only few cases with brain extension have been reported in the literature. Diagnosis of these tumors is established by histopathology. Although pilomatrixoma and pilomatrix carcinoma are well‐recognized lesions, clinically they are frequently misdiagnosed as other skin conditions. The tumors respond poorly to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Thus, recommended treatment is a wide surgical excision with safe margins. Herein, we report the case of a 39‐year‐old African woman with pilomatrix carcinoma of the scalp eroding the skull bone with intracranial extension.

Keywords

• case report
• malignant pilomatrixoma
• pilomatrix carcinoma
• recurrence
• skin cancer
• wide local excision