What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Acanthoma of Skin, Acantholytic Type

What is Acantholytic Acanthoma? (Definition/Background Information)

• Acantholytic Acanthoma is a rare, benign tumor of skin that is mostly found on the chest, back, arms, and legs. Rarely, multiple such tumors are seen in the groin
• It occurs on the skin as a painless papule or nodule. Acantholytic Acanthomas are normally asymptomatic. It can be observed in young, middle-aged, and older adults
• The cause of Acantholytic Acanthoma is generally unknown, although the risk factors include immunosuppression that may occur during renal transplant
• In a majority of cases, no treatment in necessary, unless it causes worrisome symptoms or cosmetic concerns in the individual
• A simple surgical excision of the lesion is considered curative. The prognosis for Acantholytic Acanthoma is excellent with suitable treatment

Who gets Acantholytic Acanthoma? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Acantholytic Acanthoma is a skin tumor that may occur in a wide age range of adults (30-85 years)
• Both males and females may be present with the tumor
• Individuals of all racial and ethnic background may be affected. Worldwide, no geographical localization has been reported

What are the Risk Factors for Acantholytic Acanthoma? (Predisposing Factors)

• Immunosuppression due to various factors, such as kidney transplant, is currently the only risk factor identified for Acantholytic Acanthoma

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one's chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Acantholytic Acanthoma? (Etiology)

The cause of development of Acantholytic Acanthoma is unknown.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Acantholytic Acanthoma?

The signs and symptoms may be based on the location of the nodule/papule in the body, but in most cases they are asymptomatic. In general, the signs and symptoms of Acantholytic Acanthoma include:

• It usually occurs as a single papule or nodule (elevated skin lesion). A papule is an area of abnormal skin tissue that is less than 1 centimeter around. Usually a papule has distinct borders, and it can appear in a variety of shapes
• It is slow-growing and may range in size from 0.5 to 1.5 cm
• The tumor is usually painless and non-itchy
• It mostly appears on the trunk (chest and back); other locations include the legs, groin, axilla (armpits), and arms
• Sometimes, multiple lesions occur in the groin
• Sometimes, these skin tumors can itch, bleed, and ulcerate

How is Acantholytic Acanthoma Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Acantholytic Acanthoma may involve the following:

• A thorough medical history and physical examination
• Dermoscopy: It is a diagnostic tool where a dermatologist examines the skin using a special magnified lens
• Wood’s lamp examination: In this procedure, the healthcare provider examines the skin using ultraviolet light. It is performed to examine the change in skin pigmentation
• Skin biopsy: A skin biopsy is performed and sent to a laboratory for a pathological examination. The pathologist examines the biopsy under a microscope. After putting together clinical findings, special studies on tissues (if needed) and with microscope findings, the pathologist arrives at a definitive diagnosis

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Acantholytic Acanthoma?

Acantholytic Acanthoma is an uncommon and benign tumor. It does not cause any significant complication.

• However, some individuals may have concerns regarding their appearance (cosmetic issues)
• Bleeding and ulceration can also lead to superimposed bacterial and fungal infections

How is Acantholytic Acanthoma Treated?

The treatment of Acantholytic Acanthoma may involve the following:

• In a majority of cases, removal of the tumor is not necessary, unless it causes bothersome signs and symptoms such as cosmetic issues
• The treatment of choice is a complete surgical excision, which results in a cure

How can Acantholytic Acanthoma be Prevented?

Currently, there are no known methods to prevent Acantholytic Acanthoma occurrence.

What is the Prognosis of Acantholytic Acanthoma? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

The prognosis for Acantholytic Acanthoma is excellent with appropriate treatment, since it is a benign tumor. However, the prognosis may be linked to the underlying cause of immunosuppression.

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Acantholytic Acanthoma:

• There is no evidence to prove that the intake of certain foods have an influence on Acantholytic Acanthoma development
• Cleaning the skin too hard with strong chemicals or soaps may aggravate the skin condition. Care must be taken avoid strong soaps and chemicals that could potentially worsen the condition
• The presence of dirt on the body is not a causative factor for the condition. However, it helps to be clean and hygienic, which may help the condition from getting worse