Keratoacanthoma

Keratoacanthoma is a relatively common, benign, epithelial tumor that was previously considered to be a variant of squamous cell carcinoma . The etiology is unknown. No human papillomavirus-DNA sequences were detected in lesions by polymerase chain reaction. It is a disease of the elderly with an annual incidence rate of 104 per 100,000. It is not associated with internal malignancy. There may be a seasonal presentation of keratoacanthoma that suggests that ultraviolet radiation has an acute effect on the development of KA. KAs may develop in sites of previous trauma. Most cases are the “crateriform” type, which grow rapidly then undergo spontaneous regression. Less than 2% belong to the rare destructive variants with no regression and persistent invasive growth. These are referred to as keratoacanthoma marginatum centrifugum and mutilating keratoacanthomas and can lead to severe defects. KA begins as a smooth, dome-shaped, red papule that resembles molluscum contagiosum. In a few weeks the tumor may rapidly expand to 1 or 2cm and develop a central keratin-filled crater that is frequently filled with crust. The growth retains its smooth surface, unlike a squamous cell carcinoma. Untreated, growth stops in approximately 6 weeks, and the tumor remains unchanged for an indefinite period. In the majority of cases it then regresses slowly over 2 to 12 months and frequently heals with scarring. The limbs, particularly the sun-exposed hands and arms, are the most common site; the trunk is the second most common site, but KA may occur on any skin surface, including the anal area. On occasion, multiple KAs appear, or a single lesion extends over several centimeters. These variants resist treatment and are unlikely to undergo spontaneous emission.According to a review of literature by Robert A. Schwartz, KA was once considered a benign neoplasm that resembled a highly malignant one , but it is now viewed in an opposite light as a cancer that resembles a benign neoplasm . KA is an abortive malignancy that rarely progresses into an invasive SCC. The KA may serve as a marker for the important autosomal dominant familial cancer syndrome, the Muir-Torre syndrome, as a result of a defective DNA mismatch repair gene.[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=14871228&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum] (From the Wikpedia article Keratoacanthoma.)

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Recent Publications on Keratoacanthoma:
Of Lymphocytes and Cutaneous Epithelium: Keratoacanthomatous Hyperplasia in CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disorders and CD30+ Cells Associated With Keratoacanthoma. PURPOSE. Ulcerative keratitis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a...	17th November, 2009	*Institute for Dermatopathology, Newtown Square, PA,	Am J Dermatopathol. 2009 Nov 11. DOI Direct Link
Keratoacanthoma in a tattoo. Several malignant lesions have been reported in association with tattoos,...	12th November, 2009	Department of Dermatology, State University of Londrina, Parana, Brazil.	Dermatol Online J. 2009 Jul 15;15(7):9.
Immunoexpression of Bcl-x in squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma: differences in pattern and correlation with pathobiology. AIMS: Bcl-x is an important anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family. The...	6th November, 2009	Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National	Histopathology. 2009 Sep;55(3):338-45. DOI Direct Link
Recurrent keratoacanthoma with vascular invasion: a diagnostic and management dilemma. A 71-year-old man with chronic renal failure and on peritoneal dialysis...	3rd November, 2009	Department of Dermatology, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales,	Australas J Dermatol. 2009 Aug;50(3):194-7. DOI Direct Link
The expression of p63 and p53 in keratoacanthoma and intraepidermal and invasive neoplasms of the skin. p53 is a well-known tumor suppressor gene, and its mutation is a common...	29th October, 2009	Sisli Etfal Education and Research Hospital, Department of Pathology,	Pathol Res Pract. 2009;205(9):589-94. Epub 2009 Jul 5. DOI Direct Link
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BioNews Results for Keratoacanthoma:
Eruptive Keratoacanthoma-Type Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Patients Taking Sorafenib for the Treatment of Solid Tumors	MDLinx:  Nov 17 2009 10:53AM Matching: keratoacanthoma

Keratoacanthoma Patents:
US Patent No.	Title
7304061	Heterocyclic inhibitors of ERK2 and uses thereof
7359748	Apparatus for total immersion photography
7374935	Human Rgr oncogene and truncated transcripts thereof detected in T cell malignancies, antibodies to the encoded polypeptides and methods of use
7390668	Intracorporeal medicaments for photodynamic treatment of disease
7390815	Pyrazole compounds useful as protein kinase inhibitors
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BioPortfolio Ltd. offers e-mail and postal lists for Keratoacanthoma scientists - we have details of around 155 individuals working on Keratoacanthoma .