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Am Fam Physician. 2013;87(4):285-286

Author disclosure: No relevant financial affiliations to disclose.

A 79-year-old woman presented with a rapidly growing nodule on her leg six months following surgical excision of a basal cell carcinoma. The nodule was about 1 × 1 cm in size and located at the surgical site.

Physical examination revealed an erythematous and centrally hyperkeratotic nodule at the inferior margin of the surgical scar (see accompanying figure). The lesion began to regress after two months without treatment.

Question

Based on the patient's history and physical examination findings, which one of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Discussion

The answer is D: keratoacanthoma. Keratoacanthomas are rapidly growing tumors that are generally considered a variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Rarely, keratoacanthomas can develop in postoperative wounds or scars.1

Keratoacanthomas are characterized by rapid growth over several weeks or months, usually followed by spontaneous resolution over four to six months. Most occur in sun-exposed areas of the skin. These lesions begin as a papule, which becomes a well-defined, uniform, firm, flesh-colored to brown nodule. Keratoacanthomas are elevated away from the surrounding skin and have a central hyperkeratotic plug. They are usually 1 to 2 cm in size, but may be larger.

The recurrence of basal cell carcinoma after nonradical surgical excision is typically characterized by telangiectasias and eventual central ulceration. Nodules are solid, flesh-colored, and often translucent with mother-of-pearl reflectance. There is no initial keratosis.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare, nodular, sarcomatous neoplasm that can clinically resemble a keloid.2 It is a low-grade, slow-growing malignancy that appears as a firm, indurated, flesh-colored to red-brown plaque. Multiple exophytic nodules are often present.

Keloids are elevated hypertrophic scars that extend beyond the borders of the original wound, do not regress spontaneously, and usually recur after excision. They are more common in persons with darker skin pigmentation and appear as firm to hard, flesh-colored to red nodules with a smooth surface. Keloids may take months or years to develop.3

Subcutaneous fungal infections may lead to a single or multiple slow-growing, painless, erythematous or bluish nodules or plaques. These fungal infections have been reported in patients who have had a transplant, who are immunocompromised, who are from countries with poor sanitary conditions, or who have a history of a contaminated injury.4 They require surgical or antifungal therapy.

ConditionCharacteristics
Basal cell carcinoma recurrenceSolid, flesh-colored, often translucent nodule with mother-of-pearl reflectance; telangiectasias; eventual central ulceration; no initial keratosis
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberansFirm, indurated, flesh-colored to red-brown plaque; slow growing; multiple exophytic nodules possible
KeloidFirm to hard, flesh-colored to red nodule with smooth surface; may take months or years to develop; no spontaneous regression, and usually recurs after excision
KeratoacanthomaInitial papule becomes a well-defined, uniform, firm, flesh-colored to brown nodule with a central hyperkeratotic plug; rapid growing; usually regresses spontaneously
Subcutaneous fungal infectionSingle or multiple, painless, erythematous or bluish nodules or plaques; slow growing, no spontaneous regression

The editors of AFP welcome submissions for Photo Quiz. Guidelines for preparing and submitting a Photo Quiz manuscript can be found in the Authors' Guide at https://www.aafp.org/afp/photoquizinfo. To be considered for publication, submissions must meet these guidelines. Email submissions to afpphoto@aafp.org.

This series is coordinated by John E. Delzell Jr., MD, MSPH, associate medical editor.

A collection of Photo Quiz published in AFP is available at https://www.aafp.org/afp/photoquiz

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