Human papillomavirus and Grzybowski's generalized eruptive keratoacanthoma

[Generalized eruptive keratoacanthomas of Grzybowski: A case report followed over 11 years]

Since 1950, the year of Grzybowski's syndrome description by Marian Grzybowski in Warsaw, 30 cases have been described in the literature. This syndrome belongs to the family of multiple generalized keratoacanthomas (KA). It occurs in adults between 50 and 70 years. Clinically, it presents as a rash of hundreds or thousands of small papules 1 to 2mm with well-defined, sometimes keratotic center. The onset is sudden, the evolution is progressive and chronic. It is accompanied by severe and persistent pruritus. There is no family history of KA and histology is compatible with that of KA. Other criteria may be present to varying degrees: the type of facial rash Mask of Zorro, mucosal rash, ectropion, the presence of crater-like lesions. We studied the case of a 58-year-old patient followed in the plastic surgery department of Nîmes' hospital for excision of several skin tumors as part of a Grzybowski's syndrome evolving since 2005. Its handling global and multidisciplinary treatments combining early surgical and complex medical treatments represents a therapeutic challenge.

Generalized eruptive keratoacanthoma: proposed diagnostic criteria and therapeutic evaluation

Generalized eruptive keratoacanthoma (GEKA) of Grzybowski is a sporadically occurring, extremely rare variant of keratoacanthoma characterized clinically by severely pruritic, generalized eruption of numerous small follicular papules, often with a central keratotic plug, and histologically by typical features of solitary keratoacanthoma. Despite the continuous addition of new case reports, no definite diagnostic criteria have been established, and an optimum treatment is not yet determined. Herein, we review the different aspects of this rare entity, including pathogenesis, clinical and histopathological features, differential diagnosis, course and prognosis. Different therapeutic approaches and their impact on the course and prognosis of the disease are also evaluated and presented. We propose two sets of diagnostic criteria to define the disease more precisely and to avoid overlapping and confusion with other types of multiple keratoacanthoma. The first set comprises constant clinical and histopathological features that almost always present in every case and the second set includes variable features that were reported in some patients, and to which any emerging finding could be added to avoid missing cases. Although different therapeutic options have been used, either as single agents or in combinations, there is no standard therapy for GEKA and the disease still represents a therapeutic challenge.

Keratoacanthoma: hyperplasia, benign neoplasm, or a type of squamous cell carcinoma?

Keratoacanthomas are common self limited squamous proliferations. They have been considered a benign neoplasm with involution and complete resolution within few months. Although considered the prototypical example of cutaneous pseudomalignancy, some believe that these tumors are squamous cell carcinomas and through the years there have been sporadic reports of "metastasizing keratoacanthomas". The question has been raised as to whether keratoacanthoma is an unreliable histological diagnosis or these tumors have a latent, albeit rare, malignant potential. To date, just a handful of "metastasizing keratoacanthomas" have been reported. Since a benign lesion is incapable of metastasis, some other explanation must be considered; the most likely one being a misdiagnosis. While it is clear that in some cases, the histological and cytological features of squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma are difficult to distinguish by current techniques, these occasional limitations in diagnosis do not make keratoacanthomas a carcinoma. We believe the evidence supports that keratoacanthomas are benign squamous proliferations. The diagnosis can be made with confidence in appropriate biopsies and using well established clinicopathological criteria.

Grzybowski's generalized eruptive keratoacanthoma: Remission with cyclophosphamide

A 57-year-old woman presented with intensely pruritic generalized eruptive keratoacanthomas affecting cutaneous and mucosal surfaces (Grzybowski syndrome). She derived marginal benefit from anti-pruritic agents, acitretin and methotrexate. However, cyclophosphamide 100 mg daily for 1 month followed by 3 months at 200 mg daily resulted in remarkable improvement and eventual remission without further treatment. The disease resulted in severe ectropion of upper and lower eyelids bilaterally. Two years after the onset of her disease, the lower lid ectropions were repaired using skin grafting. There was no evidence for papillomavirus infection.