Trichoblastoma – A rare case of benign skin lesion

Abstract

Trichoblastoma is a rare type of benign hair follicle tumor arising from follicular germinative cells, presenting as a solitary mass of brown/black nodule usually on head , neck and other extremities of body. It can arise at any age and sex, however, it is more common among adults between the ages of 40 and 50 years. It is a dermal, epithelial and stromal neoplasm consisting of proliferation of basaloid cells in a stroma resembling perfollicular fibrous tissue. Although benign, surgical biopsy is necessary to analyze under histopathological examination for diagnosing and differentiating trichoblastoma from basal cell carcinoma or harbor malignant characteristics. It typically has a favorable prognosis, with a very low incidence of recurrence, progression or association with malignancy. Here we present a case of a 67 year old female who presented with a nodular swelling on the right side of nose for past 3 months. The swelling was painless. On examination the nodular swelling was 2 x 2 x 1cm and firm in consistency. An excision biopsy was done. Histopathological examination showed features of trichoblastoma. This case is reported here due to its extreme rarity.