Atypical fibroxanthoma: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:21, 16 February 2025

A rare skin tumor typically found in sun-exposed areas of elderly individuals.

Atypical Fibroxanthoma

Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is a rare, low-grade skin tumor that predominantly occurs in sun-damaged skin of elderly individuals. It is considered a superficial form of pleomorphic dermal sarcoma and is characterized by its atypical spindle-shaped cells.

Clinical Presentation

AFX typically presents as a solitary, rapidly growing nodule or ulcer on sun-exposed areas such as the head and neck. The lesions are usually less than 2 cm in diameter and may appear red, pink, or flesh-colored. Due to its appearance, AFX can be mistaken for other skin conditions such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

Histopathology

Histologically, AFX is characterized by a proliferation of atypical spindle cells with pleomorphic nuclei. The tumor is usually confined to the dermis and does not invade the subcutaneous tissue. Immunohistochemical staining is often used to differentiate AFX from other similar lesions, with markers such as CD10, CD68, and vimentin being positive.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of atypical fibroxanthoma is primarily based on biopsy and histological examination. It is important to differentiate AFX from more aggressive tumors such as malignant fibrous histiocytoma and melanoma.

Treatment

The standard treatment for AFX is surgical excision with clear margins. Mohs micrographic surgery is often employed to ensure complete removal while preserving healthy tissue. Recurrence is rare if the tumor is completely excised.

Prognosis

AFX generally has an excellent prognosis with a low risk of metastasis. However, regular follow-up is recommended to monitor for any signs of recurrence or new lesions.

Related pages

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-'''Atypical fibroxanthoma''' (AF) is a rare type of [[skin cancer]] that primarily affects elderly individuals with a history of significant sun exposure. It is a low-grade malignancy that typically presents as a rapidly growing, ulcerated nodule on sun-exposed skin.
+{{Short description|A rare skin tumor typically found in sun-exposed areas of elderly individuals.}}
-==Etiology==
+==Atypical Fibroxanthoma==
+[[File:SkinTumors-P9280873.jpg|thumb|right|Atypical fibroxanthoma on the skin.]]
-The exact cause of atypical fibroxanthoma is unknown. However, it is believed to be associated with long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Other potential risk factors include advanced age, male gender, fair skin, and a history of other skin cancers.
+'''Atypical fibroxanthoma''' (AFX) is a rare, low-grade [[skin tumor]] that predominantly occurs in sun-damaged skin of elderly individuals. It is considered a superficial form of [[pleomorphic dermal sarcoma]] and is characterized by its atypical spindle-shaped cells.
 ==Clinical Presentation==
+AFX typically presents as a solitary, rapidly growing [[nodule]] or [[ulcer]] on sun-exposed areas such as the [[head and neck]]. The lesions are usually less than 2 cm in diameter and may appear red, pink, or flesh-colored. Due to its appearance, AFX can be mistaken for other skin conditions such as [[basal cell carcinoma]] or [[squamous cell carcinoma]].
-Atypical fibroxanthoma typically presents as a rapidly growing, ulcerated nodule on sun-exposed skin. The most common locations are the head and neck, particularly the face. The lesion is usually less than 2 cm in diameter and may be pink, red, or brown in color.
+==Histopathology==
+Histologically, AFX is characterized by a proliferation of atypical spindle cells with pleomorphic nuclei. The tumor is usually confined to the [[dermis]] and does not invade the [[subcutaneous tissue]]. Immunohistochemical staining is often used to differentiate AFX from other similar lesions, with markers such as [[CD10]], [[CD68]], and [[vimentin]] being positive.
 ==Diagnosis==
+The diagnosis of atypical fibroxanthoma is primarily based on [[biopsy]] and histological examination. It is important to differentiate AFX from more aggressive tumors such as [[malignant fibrous histiocytoma]] and [[melanoma]].
-The diagnosis of atypical fibroxanthoma is made based on the clinical presentation and histopathological examination of a skin biopsy. The histopathology is characterized by atypical spindle cells with pleomorphic nuclei and numerous mitotic figures.
 ==Treatment==
+The standard treatment for AFX is surgical excision with clear margins. [[Mohs micrographic surgery]] is often employed to ensure complete removal while preserving healthy tissue. Recurrence is rare if the tumor is completely excised.
-The primary treatment for atypical fibroxanthoma is surgical excision with clear margins. Mohs micrographic surgery is often used to ensure complete removal of the tumor while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible. Radiation therapy may be used in cases where surgery is not feasible.
 ==Prognosis==
+AFX generally has an excellent prognosis with a low risk of metastasis. However, regular follow-up is recommended to monitor for any signs of recurrence or new lesions.
-The prognosis for atypical fibroxanthoma is generally good, as it is a low-grade malignancy and metastasis is rare. However, recurrence can occur, particularly if the initial excision was incomplete.
+==Related pages==
-==See Also==
 * [[Skin cancer]]
+* [[Dermatology]]
 * [[Mohs surgery]]
-* [[Radiation therapy]]
+* [[Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma]]
-[[Category:Skin cancer]]
 [[Category:Dermatology]]
-[[Category:Oncology]]
+[[Category:Skin neoplasms]]
-{{stub}}