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

• Cutaneous Pilar Leiomyoma
• Multiple Cutaneous Leiomyoma

What is Pilar Leiomyoma? (Definition/Background Information)

• Pilar Leiomyoma is a rare, benign tumor that originates from the arrector pili smooth muscle
• A leiomyoma is a benign smooth muscle tumor that can develop anywhere in the body. The arrector pili muscles are tiny muscles that help connect the hair follicles to the skin
• Pilar Leiomyomas generally occur during teenage or early adulthood, and the condition may occasionally run in families
• These tumors usually comprise of a cluster of multiple brown papules on the skin of the chest or back. Pilar Leiomyomas are frequently painful and can cause cosmetic issues in some individuals
• The treatment of choice is a surgical removal of the entire tumor. The prognosis is excellent with appropriate treatment

Who gets Pilar Leiomyoma? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Pilar Leiomyoma is usually observed in teenagers and young adults of either sex (both male and female genders are affected)
• These tumors can also be seen in individuals of any age
• There is no geographical, racial, or ethnic preference noticed

What are the Risk Factors for Pilar Leiomyoma? (Predisposing Factors)

• No risk factors are evident for Pilar Leiomyoma
• There have been cases of a positive family history being a risk factor (occasionally)

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones 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 Pilar Leiomyoma? (Etiology)

• The exact cause of Pilar Leiomyoma development is unknown. Most of them are known to form sporadically (at random)
• A few cases have been observed to run within families. In such cases, an increased incidence of uterine fibroids and renal cell carcinomas is also present

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Pilar Leiomyoma?

The signs and symptoms of Pilar Leiomyoma include:

• These tumors occur as multiple clusters of brown papules on the skin; hence, these are also known as Multiple Cutaneous Leiomyomas
• Rarely, they may be single
• These papules are not well-defined and are normally over 2 cm in size
• Pilar Leiomyomas are mostly associated with pain
• Common sites include the arms, chest, and back
• Some smooth muscle tumors may not present any significant signs and symptoms

How is Pilar Leiomyoma Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Pilar Leiomyoma may involve:

• Complete physical examination with thorough evaluation of medical history
• CT, MRI scans of the affected regions
• Needle biopsy of tumor: A needle biopsy may not be helpful, because one may not be able to visualize the different morphological areas of the tumor. Hence, a needle biopsy as a diagnostic tool has certain limitations, and an open surgical biopsy is preferred
• Open biopsy of tumor: A tissue biopsy is performed and sent to a laboratory for a pathological examination, who 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
• Differential diagnosis, to eliminate other tumor types is considered, before arriving 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 Pilar Leiomyoma?

The possible complications of Pilar Leiomyoma include:

• Severe pain can be worrisome to some individuals
• Cosmetic issues
• Recurrence of the tumor after surgery, especially in cases where it is incompletely removed

How is Pilar Leiomyoma Treated?

Following are the treatment methods for Pilar Leiomyoma:

• Asymptomatic leiomyomas may not require any treatment
• A simple surgical excision and removal of the entire tumor is normally sufficient treatment
• Follow-up care with regular screening and check-ups are important

How can Pilar Leiomyoma be Prevented?

Current medical research has not established a way of preventing Pilar Leiomyoma.

What is the Prognosis of Pilar Leiomyoma? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of Pilar Leiomyoma is generally excellent after a simple excision and removal of the tumor
• However, periodic follow-up check-ups with screening may be required

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Pilar Leiomyoma:

The following DoveMed website link is a useful resource for additional information:

https://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/cancer/