Beyond the Matrix: A Rare Case of Pilomatrix Carcinoma with Histologic Insights

Authors

  • Nidhi Priya Barla Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, Jharkhand, India.
  • Prima Shuchita Lakra Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, Jharkhand, India.
  • Rahul Kumar Bharti Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, Jharkhand, India.
  • Amiy Arnav Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, Jharkhand, India.
  • Sanjeet Kumar Singh Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, Jharkhand, India.
  • Monalisa Katyare Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, Jharkhand, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/apalm.3745

Keywords:

pilomatrixoma, pilomatrix carcinoma, matrical cells, skin adnexal tumor

Abstract

Pilomatrix carcinoma is rare entity which arises from matrical cells of hair follicle and misdiagnosed quite often. A 27 years female with presented with a swelling on right side of nape of neck for approximately 3 years which was painless, slowly progressive, soft to firm in consistency. Previously misdiagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma, the lesion recurred and was excised again in our institution and was diagnosed here as Pilomatrix carcinoma with regional lymph node metastasis. Since she had metastasis, the patient is currently undergoing radiotherapy. Considering the rarity of this carcinoma it was noteworthy to report this case as correct diagnosis aids patient’s treatment protocol and improves prognosis.

References

1. Park A, Wan L, Khachemoune A. Pilomatrix carcinoma unveiled: a systematic review of clinical characteristics, pathogenesis, diagnostic puzzles, and management strategies. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2025 Jan 18;317(1):278.

2. Jones C, Twoon M, Ho W, Portelli M, Robertson BF, Anderson W. Pilomatrix carcinoma: 12‐year experience and review of the literature. Journal of Cutaneous Pathology. 2018 Jan;45(1):33-8.

3. Rübben A, Wahl RU, Eggermann T, Dahl E, Ortiz-Brüchle N, Cacchi C. Mutation analysis of multiple pilomatricomas in a patient with myotonic dystrophy type 1 suggests a DM1-associated hypermutation phenotype. PLoS One. 2020 Mar 10;15(3):e0230003.

4. Lazar AJ, Calonje E, Grayson W, Dei Tos AP, Mihm Jr MC, Redston M et al. Pilomatrix carcinomas contain mutations in CTNNB1, the gene encoding β‐catenin. Journal of cutaneous pathology. 2005 Feb;32(2):148-57.

5. Yadia S, Randazzo CG, Malik S, Gressen E, Chasky M, Kenyon LC et al. Pilomatrix carcinoma of the thoracic spine: case report and review of the literature. The journal of spinal cord medicine. 2010 Jan 1;33(3):272-7.

6. Tselis N, Heyd R, Vogt HG, Zamboglou N. Pilomatrix carcinoma with lymph node and pulmonary metastases. Strahlenther Onkol. 2006 Dec;182(12):727-32.

Downloads

Published

05-01-2026

Issue

Section

Case Report / Case Series

How to Cite

1.
Beyond the Matrix: A Rare Case of Pilomatrix Carcinoma with Histologic Insights. Ann of Pathol and Lab Med [Internet]. 2026 Jan. 5 [cited 2026 Jan. 7];13(1):C58-C61. Available from: https://pacificejournals.com/journal/index.php/apalm/article/view/3745