Secondary neoplasms associated with nevus sebaceus of Jadassohn: A study of 707 cases

Abstract

Nevus sebaceus is commonly associated with the development of secondary neoplasms. Data on the frequency of malignant tumors vary considerably in published reports. We sought to analyze the distribution of secondary neoplasm in nevus sebaceus. A retrospective analysis of all cases of nevus sebaceus diagnosed at the Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology from 1999 to 2012 was conducted. A total of 706 patients (707 specimens) were included in the study. Trichoblastoma was the most frequent benign tumor (n=52, 7.4%) followed by syringocystadenoma papilliferum (n=33, 5.2%). Malignant tumors were present in 2.5% of the specimens with basal cell carcinoma being the most common (n=8, 1.1%) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (n=4, 0.57%). The incidence of secondary neoplasms was statistically related to age and anatomic site (P<.05). Almost all malignant tumors were seen in adults. Some of our cases were referred for second opinion and there may be a bias in our data toward unusual secondary neoplasms. Our study confirms that most of the secondary neoplasms arising in association with nevus sebaceus are benign. As no malignant tumors were seen in children, we believe it is reasonable to delay surgical management until adolescence.