Cutaneous Neurocristic Hamartoma Mimicking Basal Cell Carcinoma in a Patient With Xeroderma Pigmentosum

Neurocristic hamartomas (NCH) of cutaneous origin are especially rare congenital or acquired neoplasms that often arise through aberrant embryologic development of pluripotent neural crest cells. Clinically, they often present as pigmented macules or papules on the scalp with associated alopecia. NCHs are characterized histopathologically by dermal melanocytic, fibroblastic, and neurosustentacular components. Correct identification of this etiology is critical because of potential for malignant transformation, particularly in acquired NCHs. Our patient was a 6-year-old girl with xeroderma pigmentosum and confirmed XPC mutation followed in our dermatology clinic since the age of 3. She had a history of multiple actinic keratoses but no prior skin cancers. A 4-mm homogenous pink papule on the left frontal scalp concerning for basal cell carcinoma was noted during routine skin examination. After a 3-month course of 3 times weekly topical imiquimod, the lesion had grown to a 6 mm diameter. The patient was then referred to plastic surgery for definitive excision. Histologically, the lesion showed a well-circumscribed proliferation of spindle cells with a trabecular and nested growth pattern. Perivascular pseudorosettes were identified, as were areas that resembled well-differentiated neural tissue. The spindle cells diffusely expressed S100 protein, SOX10, and CD34, with patchy expression of Melan-A and HMB-45. PRAME was negative, and p16 was retained. Array comparative genomic hybridization was performed, and no clinically significant copy number or single nucleotide variants were detected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case in the literature of a cutaneous neurocristic hamartoma arising in a patient with xeroderma pigmentosum.

Automated summary

Neurocristic hamartomas (NCH) are rare cutaneous tumors that arise from aberrant development of pluripotent neural crest cells. Correct identification of this etiology is critical due to the potential for malignant transformation in acquired NCHs.