A rare type of noncancerous (benign) skin tumor associated with hair follicles.
It grows in the matrix cells of hair follicles, this is where fast-growing cells in each hair follicle produce hair fibres, in this condition these fast growing matrix cells grow/reproduce irregularly.
This condition is also referred as pilomatrixoma.
It can turn cancerous later on, so it is important to get is seen by a Medical Doctor if appears to be growing or it does not go away.
Common locations include:
Head
Arms
Body
Legs
Pilomatricomas primarily affect children and young adults. About 40 percent of cases happen before the age of 10, while 60 percent happen before the age of 20.
In addition, girls are about 50 percent more likely to develop a pilomatricoma than boys.
However, pilomatrix carcinomas are most common in white, middle-aged men.
Healthline
Cause
Mutations in the CTNNB1 gene (it is not inherited)
The CTNNB1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called beta-catenin. This protein plays an important role in sticking cells together (cell adhesion) and in communication between cells. It is also involved in cell signaling as part of the Wnt signaling pathway. This pathway promotes the growth and division (proliferation) of cells and helps determine the specialized functions a cell will have (differentiation). Wnt signaling is involved in many aspects of development before birth, as well as the maintenance and repair of adult tissues.
Among its many activities, beta-catenin appears to be necessary for the normal function of hair follicles. This protein is active in cells that make up a part of the hair follicle known as the matrix. These cells divide and mature to form the different components of the hair follicle and the hair shaft. As matrix cells divide, the hair shaft is pushed upward and extends beyond the skin.
Mutations in the CTNNB1 gene lead to a version of beta-catenin that is always turned on (constitutively active). The overactive protein triggers matrix cells to divide too quickly and in an uncontrolled way, leading to the formation of a pilomatricoma.
Most pilomatrix carcinomas (cancer), the malignant (cancer) version of pilomatricoma, also have somatic mutations (it cannot be inherited) in the CTNNB1 gene.
It is unclear why some pilomatricomas are cancerous but most others are not.
Genetics Home Reference
Source: https://www.dermnetnz.org
Source: https://www.semanticscholar.org
Source: http://www.idoj.in
Source: http://www.ijpd.in
Symptoms
The condition grows slowly and cause no pain?
Skin coloured, white or red, bluish-red lump on skin 5–10 mm in diameter?
Lump is growing and become larger?
Feels hard and bony?
Tent sign: Presence of angles and sides/faces (facets) when the skin is stretched?
Teeter-totter sign: pressing on one side of lump causes the opposite end to stick out?
Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:
Please see your medical doctor to make sure it is not mistaken for skin cancer especially if lump in not going away or is growing.
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Pilomatricoma (Pre-Cancer) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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